A 58-year-old Indian passenger died on a Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney after suffering a medical emergency on board, a recent report said. The passenger was on MH141 on September 16, and was critically ill for eight hours.
The passenger's identity has not yet been disclosed publicly. New South Wales Police said officers were called to Sydney Airport's international terminal after the aircraft arrived following an incident of an unwell passenger on the incoming flight from Kuala Lumpur. Police had said at the time the death was not suspicious and there would not be any further police action.
Medical Emergency Onboard Malaysia Airlines flight.
The passenger experienced a medical emergency during flight MH141, Malaysia Airlines said.
A doctor, three nurses and a cabin crew member responded and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). But the passenger was not revived and died by the doctor on board. The passenger was travelling with a family member.
Some reports, from Daily Mail Australia, claim the passenger suffered a severe asthma attack during the flight. But the airline’s confirmation of the incident referred to it as a medical emergency, and did not formally confirm asthma as the cause of death.
The difference is significant since the identity of the passenger and the specific medical cause have not been publicly disclosed by authorities.
NSW Police Respond at Sydney Airport
New South Wales Police were alerted after the aircraft approached Sydney. Police were called to the international terminal at 5:50 pm local time on September 16 after receiving a report about an unwell passenger on a flight arriving from Kuala Lumpur, said People.
The passenger was later confirmed to have died. Police said they didn’t consider that the situation was suspicious and no further police action was expected.
The response followed the aircraft landing at Sydney Airport. MH141 left Kuala Lumpur on September 16 and landed in Sydney that evening, with the flight taking a little over 8 hours.
Flight MH141 Lands in Sydney.
Malaysia Airlines said flight MH141 landed at Sydney Airport at 7:43 pm local time. Local authorities met the aircraft after landing for the necessary procedures following the onboard emergency.
The medical response had already begun during the flight, and qualified medical personnel and cabin crew attempted to save the passenger. The airline said the passenger could not be revived despite the immediate assistance provided.
Malaysia Airlines offered sympathy to the passenger’s family. The airline also apologised for the disruption of MH141 and MH140 return flights.
Passenger's Identity Not Released
The deceased passenger has not been identified. Some media reports reported him as a 58-year-old Indian national. Malaysia Airlines has not publicly mentioned his nationality in the medical emergency statement.
The lack of a formal identification means little is known about the passenger’s background. In addition, there have been no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death so far, authorities have said.
Airline Offers Condolences
The incident caused a huge medical response onboard and authorities were asked to attend the aircraft after it landed in Sydney. Malaysia Airlines said that the safety of the passengers was its number one priority and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased.
The airline also recognized the inconvenience to other travelers because of the incident and the resulting procedures involving MH141 and MH140.
The death has attracted attention because it occurred during the international flight between Kuala Lumpur and Sydney. While reports have linked the medical emergency to an asthma attack, the exact cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. The death is not being ruled out as suspicious so far, and police are not looking for a link to it, they said.
