Retired Nigerian Air Vice Marshall Confirmed Dead on British Airways Plane
- A British Airways flight from London to Abuja was diverted to Barcelona after a retired Nigerian Air Vice Marshall died in the air
- The emergency triggered further distress onboard, including a reported second medical incident involving a pregnant passenger
- British Airways has apologised for the disruption and confirmed that the journey had resumed via a replacement aircraft
A British Airways flight en route from London to Abuja was forced to make an emergency diversion to Barcelona, Spain, in the early hours of Monday, October 6, following the death of a retired Nigerian Air Vice Marshall onboard.
The aircraft had departed Heathrow Airport at 11:00 pm on October 5 and was due to arrive at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by 5:00 am on Monday. However, at approximately 1:30 am, the pilot declared a medical emergency and rerouted the flight to El Prat Airport.
Source: Getty Images
Retired Nigerian Air Vice Marshal dies mid-flight
Sources confirmed to reporters that the deceased, believed to be in his early 80s, was one of the few surviving retired air vice marshals from Anambra State.
He had reportedly been unwell and was travelling back to Nigeria for further medical treatment when he passed away mid-flight.
The incident reportedly caused distress among passengers, with confusion onboard triggering a second medical emergency involving a pregnant woman.
Her condition remained unconfirmed at the time of filing this report.
British Airways issues apology after medical diversion
British Airways has since issued a statement acknowledging the disruption, offering its apologies, and offering support to those who had been affected.
The airline confirmed that a replacement aircraft would resume the journey to Abuja.
Initially scheduled to depart Barcelona at 2:00 p.m. local time and arrive in Abuja at 7:00 p.m., the flight was later rescheduled to depart at 2:50 p.m., with arrival expected around 5:45 p.m. Nigerian time.
What is British Airways?
British Airways (BA) is the United Kingdom’s flag carrier and one of the world’s leading international airlines. Headquartered in London, it operates from its main hub at Heathrow Airport, offering flights to over 170 destinations across more than 70 countries.
Renowned for its long-haul services, BA maintains a strong presence in Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. The airline is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance, which enhances global connectivity through partner networks.
BA offers a range of cabin classes, from economy to first, catering to diverse needs. Despite occasional disruptions, the airline has upheld its reputation as a reliable choice for international travel, with a legacy dating back to its formation in 1974.
Source: Getty Images
How airlines handle mid-flight medical emergencies
Aviation expert and air traffic control officer, Promise Orolisen, has explained how airlines manage medical crises that occur mid-flight, detailing the chain of communication and coordination between cabin crew, pilots, and control towers.
Speaking with Legit.ng in reaction to the recent incident involving a British Airways flight diverted to Barcelona after a retired Nigerian Air Vice Marshal reportedly died onboard, Orolisen said the process begins with the cabin crew assessing the situation and administering first aid.
“When an in-flight medical crisis occurs, the cabin crew responds by assessing the situation and providing first aid, while also notifying the pilots and seeking assistance from onboard medical professionals,” he said.
He added that once the pilots are informed, a medical emergency is declared to air traffic control, allowing for priority routing and swift communication with ground responders:
“The pilot then declares a medical emergency to air traffic control, which enables priority handling. Meanwhile, ground-based medical services are contacted for advice, and if necessary, a suitable airport is selected for diversion based on factors like proximity and medical facilities,” Orolisen explained.
He noted that air traffic controllers expedite routing and alert ground emergency services ahead of the plane’s arrival to ensure timely medical attention.
According to him, airlines operate under strict regulatory guidelines for handling in-flight medical emergencies, including:
“onboard medical kits and AEDs, crew training in first aid and CPR, ground medical guidance, protection for volunteer responders under Good Samaritan laws, and post-incident documentation and logistics management.”
Lift crashes from seven storeys, killing one
Legit.ng earlier reported that a mother in Turkey had died after a lift she entered malfunctioned and plunged seven storeys, despite her husband’s frantic efforts to save her.
The tragic incident occurred on September 30, 2025, inside an 11-storey residential block in the Altaylilar district of Tarsus, located in the Mersin province.
Pelin Yasot Kiyga had just left her seventh-floor flat en route to work when she stepped into the lift. Moments later, the cabin jammed and then plummeted down the shaft.
Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from an air control expert for this report.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
Basit Jamiu (Current Affairs and Politics Editor) Basit Jamiu is a journalist with more than five years of experience. He is a current affairs and politics editor at Legit.ng. He holds a bachelor's degree from Ekiti State University (2018). Basit previously worked as a staff writer at Ikeja Bird (2022), Associate Editor at Prime Progress (2022), and Staff Writer at The Movee (2018). He is a 2024 Open Climate Fellow (West Africa), 2023 MTN Media Fellow, OCRP Fellow at ICIR, and Accountability Fellow at CJID. Email: basit.jamiu@corp.legit.ng.
Promise Orolisen (Astrophysicist) A seasoned physicist specializing in astrophysics, with expertise in data analysis and research design. Recently conducted research on total lunar eclipses at Rivers State University. Experienced in air traffic control during an internship at Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, Port Harcourt International Airport. Former tech industry professional at Hi-Sense Computers (2021-2022). Holds a Bachelor's degree in Astrophysics from Rivers State University (2023). Member of Pan Africa Citizen Science E-Lab and participant in the 2024 Sagan Summer Workshop. Certified in HSE levels 1, 2, and 3.
