Travel

Ryanair flight forced to turn around over the English Channel after declaring medical emergency

A RYANAIR flight from Bristol to Malaga has been forced to turn around over the English Channel after a medical emergency was declared on board.

Flight FR8121, which took off from Bristol Airport at around 1.57pm, was forced to return approximately half an hour into its journey to the Spanish holiday hotspot after a passenger took ill just north of the coast of Brittany, France.

The jet landed back at Bristol Airport shortly before 3pm where it was greeted by paramedics, Ryanair has confirmed.

The condition of the affected passenger is not known at this time.

#FR8121 Bristol(BRS)-Malaga(AGP) declared a general emergency and descending back into Bristol https://t.co/26WhRsuT12 pic.twitter.com/ZNWahoQyAF

— Flight Alerts (@FlightAlerts_) March 19, 2019

A Ryanair spokesman said: "This flight from Bristol to Malaga (19 March) returned to Bristol Airport shortly after take-off after a passenger became ill inflight.

"In line with procedures, the crew contacted ATC, the aircraft landed normally, and the passenger was met by medical personnel.

"The aircraft will depart to Malaga later today."

Flight FR8121 had been scheduled to arrive at Malaga Airport at 5.25pm GMT before its diversion.