A four-year-old Ryanair passenger, severely allergic to nuts, stopped breathing and went in anaphylactic shock in mid-air after a fellow passenger ignored announcements not to open peanut packets offered on-board.
Fae Platten was returning to the UK after her family holiday in Tenerife. After boarding the flight, the crew members of the Ryanair flight made three separate announcements confirming the presence of three passengers, including the little girl, who were allergic to nuts.
However, a passenger sitting a few rows behind Fae overlooked the announcements and opened a packet of peanut snacks. The airconditioning in the plane may have taken a nut particle to Fae, which immediately resulted in facial swelling and difficulty in breathing.
Looking at Fae's deteriorating condition, her mother Katy took her to the front of the plane. The crew members made an emergency announcement requesting a medical professional to come forward and help. Fortunately, an ambulance worker was present on the flight and helped revive Fae with the help of an injection. Unfortunately, the incident left Fae with a swollen tongue and blistered lips.
Katy describes the horrific incident as a nightmare as she was stuck in the flight and there was no way she could get more help. Katy says that she was definitely angry with the fellow passenger who ignored announcements, but her main priority was to ensure that Fae was okay.
Katy reveals that ever since the flight ordeal, Izzy, Fae's six-year-old sister, is having nightmares and is afraid for her family and herself regarding flying again. Even Fae was frightened with the entire episode and is skeptical about traveling on a plane again.
"Fae has said she never wants to go on an aeroplane again after what happened but we've tried to explain to her that she will miss out on some wonderful holidays if we don't fly," says Katy.
Ryanair has identified the passenger who ignored the repetitive announcements. The passenger is said to be of Zimbabwean origin and was travelling with his wife and two teenage children. The passenger says that he did not speak good English and probably did not understand the safety announcement made by the crew members.
A Ryanair spokesperson said that the responsible passenger has been banned from using any Ryanair flight for two years.
