A Bradford college worker received a round of applause from fellow passengers for her role in helping an elderly woman who needed urgent medical attention on a flight.

The plane had to make an emergency landing at Billund Airport, Denmark, when the passenger was taken ill.

The aircraft, which took off from Liverpool John Lennon airport early in the morning, was heading for Riga in Latvia.

Onboard was Bradford College web developer Solvita Rovite, heading to Latvia to deliver an international karate training course with a team from the Saxon Karate Club.

Solvita is the former Latvian National Karate Champion and is now the National Champion for the United Kingdom Traditional Karate Federation. She is fluent in Latvian and English.

She said: “The lady, suffering from chest pains, became very pale and was having difficulty breathing. The flight attendants decided to give her an oxygen mask, which helped initially, but it was clear that the lady needed urgent medical attention.

“The cabin crew made an in-flight announcement asking if there were any people onboard the flight that had medical qualifications.

“A member of our team, Susan Bell, was the only person onboard the flight that could offer assistance to the lady.

“The lady was unable to speak English, so I stepped in to help and interpret.”

As a precautionary measure the flight was diverted and the aircraft landed at Billund Airport, Denmark. The elderly passenger disembarked the aircraft to receive the medical attention she urgently needed.

Solvita said: “I accompanied the passenger and continued to act as an interpreter for waiting paramedics.

“Eventually the flight captain made a decision that it wasn’t feasible for the elderly passenger to continue her journey. The 68-year-old woman had to stay in the local hospital for further medical investigation.”

Passengers applauded the cabin crew, Solvita and the Saxon Karate Club team for their attempt to assist the woman and alleviate her condition.

Solvita said: “We were really happy we could help. Everyone in our team are great people and if required to help – that’s what we do.”

  • Read the full story in Tuesday's T&A