Bristol doc saves nut allergy sufferer on plane
A British tourist who suffered a potentially fatal allergic reaction while on a holiday jet was saved – by a Bristol doctor on the same flight.
Royal Navy sailor Ashley Cahill, 21, fell unconscious shortly after boarding the flight to Bristol from Marmaris in Turkey.
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The usual labelling for allergy sufferers is not always available
He had eaten a biscuit in the departure lounge and suffered a severe allergic reaction to a nut as the plane taxied before take off.
One of his fellow passengers was a GP returning from holiday who quickly administered a shot of adrenalin.
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The pilot aborted the flight and an ambulance took Mr Cahill, of Plymouth, Devon, to hospital where he is still recovering.
Mr Cahill was on the plane with girlfriend Lauren Francis, 17, on Thursday evening after a fortnight's break.
His dad, Allan, said: "Ashley has had a nut allergy for 15 years and he asked whether the biscuit contained nuts. They told him it didn't.
"Soon after he got on the plane he started to suffer from the allergy symptoms. His throat closed up so he couldn't breathe, and he came up in a rash.
"His lips went numb and his face turned red. The airline staff laid him in the aisle and asked if there was a doctor on board.
"A doctor from Bristol came to help and injected Ashley with adrenalin. They opened the plane up again and an ambulance took him to hospital. It's lucky there was a doctor on board. If it had happened at 30,000 feet with no doctor, it would have been a tragedy. He can't eat anything with nuts in it.
"He has been advised that he should carry a 'pen' with adrenalin to inject himself. He doesn't carry one – but he will do now."
Comments
by H morrow brown MD, England
Monday, August 31 2009, 4:57PM
“It is amazing that ashley has known for 15 years that he is dangerously allergic to nuts and yet has not been prescribed an Epipen or Anapen to use in this situation. He was very lucky the the GP on the plane had adrenalin---He probably had it available for a member of his own family.”
by Helen, Bristol
Monday, August 31 2009, 1:22PM
“Wishing him a speedy recovery.”
by Helen, United Kingdom
Monday, August 31 2009, 1:20PM
“Pleased the outcome was good. Wishing him a speedy recovery. I agree it is a good idea to ALWAYS carry the epipen wherever!!”
by James, On a plane
Monday, August 31 2009, 12:55PM
“"He has been advised that he should carry a 'pen' with adrenalin to inject himself. He doesn't carry one ¿ but he will do now."
Some people really do confuse me. He knew he was allergic to nuts, but didn't carry the pen around. I hope this has taught him!”