A transatlantic passenger jet diverted to Shannon Airport after the crew declared a medical emergency off the northwest coast this morning.
Turkish Airlines flight TK-3 was travelling from Istanbul in Turkey to JFK International Airport in New York at the time. There were 351 passengers and a crew complement of 17 on board the Boeing 777-330(ER) jet.
Shortly after 10.00am, while the flight was about 100 kilometres off the northwest coast, the flight crew contacted air traffic controllers at Shannon to confirm they had an ill passenger on board and needed to divert to Shannon to seek medical attention.
On the ground, the National Ambulance Service was contacted and requested to dispatch paramedics to the airport. Shannon’s own fire and rescue service was also alerted.
The flight landed safely 10.38am and was met at the terminal by airport authorities and paramedics. The passenger was assessed and treated at the airport before being transported to University Hospital Limerick for treatment.
The flight is expected to continue its journey around lunchtime.
