In a remarkable display of courage and quick thinking, two nurses from Kerala, Abhijith Jees and Ajeesh Nelson, saved the life of a fellow passenger during their very first international flight. The incident occurred on an Air Arabia flight from Kochi to Abu Dhabi, just twenty minutes after takeoff.
While en route to start their new jobs in the UAE, the two nurses noticed a man struggling to breathe. They immediately rushed to his aid, recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest. Abhijith Jees, 26, from Wayanad, and Ajeesh Nelson, 29, from Chengannur, administered CPR twice, successfully stabilizing the passenger until he regained a pulse and began breathing again.
“I checked his pulse, but there was none. I knew he was in cardiac arrest,” Abhijith shared. “I immediately started CPR and alerted the crew.”
Adding to the emergency response was Dr. Arif Abdul Khadir, a doctor also on board, who assisted the nurses. Dr. Khadir provided IV fluids and monitored the passenger’s vital signs for the remainder of the journey, ensuring his stability.
A profound sense of relief washed over Abhijith when the passenger showed signs of recovery. “It reminded me that we carry our responsibility wherever we go,” he commented.
The two nurses, along with the doctor, completed their duty with quiet professionalism, continuing to their destinations without fanfare. The inspiring story only came to light later through a fellow traveler.
Upon landing, the passenger received further medical attention from airport staff and was reported to be in stable condition. His family expressed their deepest gratitude to the nurses, calling them “heroes” for giving their loved one a second chance at life. “They were strangers, yet they gave our loved one another chance at life. Their kindness and courage will always stay in our prayers,” the family stated.