{"id":155977,"date":"2026-08-29T07:33:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T02:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=155977"},"modified":"2026-08-29T00:53:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T19:23:25","slug":"singapore-airlines-crew-saves-passenger-after-his-heart-stops-before-takeoff-wins-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/29\/singapore-airlines-crew-saves-passenger-after-his-heart-stops-before-takeoff-wins-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Singapore Airlines Crew Saves Passenger After His Heart Stops Before Takeoff, Wins Award"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SINGAPORE-<\/strong> Singapore Airlines (SQ)<\/a> honoured 3 cabin crew members after they helped revive a 71 year old passenger whose heart stopped shortly before a flight from Barcelona (BCN) to Singapore Changi (SIN) was due to depart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The emergency happened on 13 October 2025, when the passenger was found unconscious, without a pulse and not breathing. The crew began CPR, used an automated external defibrillator (AED), and worked with medically trained passengers until his pulse returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Singapore
Representative Photo: Singapore Airlines (For illustrative purposes only)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Singapore Airlines Crew Recognized for Saving Passenger<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chief stewardess Serene Koh, leading steward Idris Abu, and inflight manager Kueh Joo Tong were among 29 individuals and teams recognized at Singapore Airlines\u2019 CEO Service Excellence Awards in Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koh, 48, and Kueh, 57, were honoured for their response to the medical emergency. Abu also played a key role in moving the passenger and supporting the initial resuscitation effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The incident occurred on 13 October 2025, shortly before the aircraft was scheduled to leave Barcelona<\/a> for Singapore<\/a>. A cabin crew member alerted Koh that a passenger had become unconscious. She found the 71-year-old man unresponsive, without a pulse and not breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koh and Abu moved the passenger onto the aircraft floor and began CPR. Koh then asked Kueh to bring medical equipment, including an automated external defibrillator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two doctors and 2 trained first-aiders among the passengers responded when the crew called for assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koh alternated performing CPR with one of the doctors, while the other crew members assisted with the emergency response and helped keep the remaining passengers calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The resuscitation continued for about 20 minutes. During that time, the passenger received 2 shocks from the AED. His pulse eventually returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koh said her immediate focus was to determine whether the passenger had regained a spontaneous pulse and was breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The passenger\u2019s wife was beside him during the emergency. Koh recalled that she was crying and pleading with the crew to save her husband, asking them to do so \u201cat whatever cost\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Singapore
Photo: By Andrew – https:\/\/mainlymiles.com\/2021\/02\/06\/singapore-airlines-boeing-737-800-everything-you-need-to-know\/, CC BY-SA 4.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=129233627<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Emergency Training Helped Crew Respond Quickly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kueh, who had worked for Singapore Airlines for 34 years, said the cabin crew undergo annual training to prepare for situations such as this one. He said the training had prepared them for the emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The incident was the first medical emergency of this kind that Kueh had experienced in more than three decades with the airline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koh had previously performed CPR twice during her 26 years as a Singapore Airlines cabin crew member. The Barcelona incident was her third such response while on duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Independent<\/a> credited reporting on the incident and the crew\u2019s recognition, with details also reported by the Straits Times and Mothership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo : Md Shaifuzzaman Ayon | Wikimedia Commons | https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Singapore_Airlines_Airbus_A350-900_9V-SMO.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Passenger Taken to Hospital in Barcelona<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After the passenger\u2019s pulse returned, it was initially faint. He remained unconscious and did not respond verbally, but he was breathing, Kueh said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emergency medical personnel removed him from the aircraft and transported him to a hospital in Barcelona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to reporting cited in the original accounts, the passenger later underwent surgery and had a stent inserted into a blocked artery to restore blood flow to his heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He remained in Barcelona for about 1 month while recovering before returning to his home in Sydney, Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: Singapore Changi Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Flight Delayed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The medical emergency delayed the flight\u2019s departure by about 1 hour. Despite the delay, the aircraft arrived in Singapore at approximately 5 AM and on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koh and Kueh learned about a month later that the passenger had suffered an arrhythmia and that his heart had stopped during the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kueh later said he was happy that the crew had been able to help. He also reflected on the passenger as a person with family who depended on him, saying, \u201cIt\u2019s somebody\u2019s grandfather, somebody\u2019s father.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The response involved immediate CPR, AED treatment, assistance from medically trained passengers and coordinated action by the cabin crew, giving the passenger a chance to survive a critical medical emergency before the flight departed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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