AirAsia flight makes emergency landing in Phuket after Mecca pilgrim suffers heart failure

PHUKET: An AirAsia plane made an emergency landing at Phuket International Airport after a Malaysian man returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca suffered heart failure while in Thai airspace.

The crew of flight D7 171 from Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur attempted to resuscitate Ridzwan Bin Jamaludin, 64, while still in the air, explained Thalang Police Deputy Superintendent Amnuay Kriwuttianant.

“The captain contacted Phuket Aeronautical Radio for permission to stage an emergency landing and to have an ambulance pick Mr Jamaludin up,” Lt Col Amnuay.

“The Thalang Hospital medical team worked for an hour to save him, but his heart wasn’t responding.”

Mr Jamaludin was pronounced dead at 9:58pm.

“Two of Mr Jamaludin’s relatives were at the hospital crying over the body when we arrived,” Lt Col Amnuay said.

“Razli Bin Rafie and Saziah Binti Rafie explained that they were returning from Saudi Arabia after having participated in Umrah.”

Umrah is a pilgrimage of faith to Mecca that can be undertaken at anytime of the year.

— Saran Mitrarat