Bracing himself against the pain, Captain Acosta managed to touch-down at the Kolkata airport before being rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery!
In a crazy turn of events on Saturday evening, an IndiGo Airlines pilot suffered a massive heart attack mid-air, while on a flight from Imphal. Thankfully, he managed to safely land the plane full of passengers to their destination—the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata.
According to this News 18 report, Captain Silvio Diaz Acosta, the Cuban pilot operating the flight, and his co-pilot were about to land in Kolkata when he began complaining of acute chest pains. Despite the intense pain and profuse sweating, both Captain Acosta and his co-pilot managed to land the plane successfully at 4:45 pm. Suffice it to say that this was a remarkable turn of events.
After landing the plain, Captain Acosta was rushed to the emergency medical unit stationed at the Kolkata airport, where his condition was diagnosed. After that, doctors at the unit referred him to the Charnock Hospital nearby, where he received further treatment.
Cardiologist Dr Satrajit Samanta spoke to News 18, describing the events as they unfolded. He said, “His condition was serious, and he was immediately taken to the emergency ward. Electrocardiography (ECG) was done, wherein we found Myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack. It happens when blood flow decreases or completely stops to a part of the heart. Later angioplasty was done, stent was placed. He is now recovering.”
It was a long and complicated procedure for the doctors, claiming that it’s a miracle he survived. During the operation, doctors told the news website that he also suffered from a heart rhythm disorder, which complicated matters. They were compelled to give him two sets of electric shocks.
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Dr Samanta added, “I have never witnessed such an incident. The fact that the cardiac arrest happened midair and he still landed the flight safely is a miracle. He is fine and out of danger, but we have kept him under strict observation. Today, his family members will reach India from Havana. Hopefully, he will be discharged in two-three days.”
Considering that pilots routinely undergo regular health check-ups, it’s curious that Captain Acosta was allowed to fly in the first place. Having said that, it’s remarkable that he managed to land the plane safely.
(Edited by Shruti Singhal)
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