A flight returning to the North East was met by paramedics on Monday (November 28) morning after it declared an emergency on board.

Emirates flight EK35 from Dubai to Newcastle declared a mid-air emergency shortly before coming in to land on Monday.

Ambulance crews met the flight when it landed after being called to reports of a medical incident and one person was taken to hospital at Newcastle’s RVI for further treatment.

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The flight, codenamed EK35, took off from Dubai airport in the United Arab Emirates at 7.29am local time bound for the North East.

But when the aircraft, a Boeing 777-300, was nearing its final approach to the runway at Newcastle Airport the captain declared an emergency on board and ambulance crews were called.

The flight landed safely at 10.54am and was greeted by medical staff on arrival.

The passenger who had been taken ill was then assisted off the aircraft and given medical treatment before being taken to hospital.

An Emirates spokesperson told The Northern Echo: “Emirates flight EK35 from Dubai to Newcastle on 28th November was met by medical services upon arrival due to a sick passenger on-board.

“The passenger was assisted off the aircraft and is receiving medical attention.”

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Meanwhile a North East Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed: “We received a call at 10.24am this morning to Newcastle Airport following reports of a medical incident.

“We dispatched a specialist paramedic and took one patient to the Royal Victoria Infirmary for further treatment.”

The Emirates flight from Newcastle International Airport is the only one at the airport operated by a widebody Boeing 777.

On Thursday (December 1) Emirates will recommence daily flights between Newcastle and Dubai for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

The airline recently brought the flight back to its pre-covid lunchtime departure time, having been flying late in the evening since returning after the pandemic, allowing easier connections to further-away destinations.

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