Etihad flight diverts to HK after elderly passenger suffers suspected stroke

An Etihad Airways flight from Tokyo to Abu Dhabi diverted to Hong Kong International Airport on Thursday night after an 81-year-old male passenger suffered a suspected acute stroke, delaying the flight's arrival by nearly four hours.



Flight EY801, operated by an Airbus A380-800, departed Narita Airport around 6.24pm with about 500 passengers on board.



While flying over mainland China near Wuhan, the passenger became unwell with suspected stroke symptoms. Crew notified the pilots, who decided to change course and divert to Hong Kong for immediate medical treatment.



The Airport Authority said the flight notified Hong Kong airport at about 9.50pm of the diversion and request for partial standby.



The plane landed safely on the centre runway at about 10pm and taxied to a parking stand without incident.



Fire and ambulance crews were waiting at the gate and provided first aid to the passenger before handing him over to medical personnel. His condition is unknown.