Two Indian nurses are being lauded for their life-saving intervention on an Air Arabia flight from Kochi to Abu Dhabi on October 13, 2025. Abhijith Jees, 26, from Wayanad, and Ajeesh Nelson, 29, from Chengannur, both in Kerala, India, were en route to their first overseas jobs as registered nurses with Response Plus Medical (RPM) in the UAE when the incident occurred.
Approximately 20 minutes after takeoff, Abhijith noticed a 34-year-old passenger from Thrissur collapse and become unresponsive. "It was like someone gasping," Abhijith recalled. Recognizing the severity of the situation, he checked the passenger's pulse and found none, immediately identifying it as a cardiac arrest.
Without hesitation, Abhijith initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and alerted the cabin crew. Ajeesh quickly joined him, and together they worked to resuscitate the passenger. "There was no panic," Ajeesh stated. "We just focused on what had to be done". A doctor on board, Arif Abdul Khadir, also assisted by administering intravenous fluids and monitoring the patient's condition.
The two nurses worked in perfect coordination, performing two rounds of CPR until the passenger regained a pulse and began breathing again. "When I saw him move, I felt a deep sense of relief," Abhijith expressed. "It reminded me that we carry our responsibility wherever we go". Ajeesh shared similar sentiments, stating, "It was our first trip abroad, and it felt like a blessing to be able to save a life right at the start of our journey". Together, they stabilized the passenger and monitored his condition until the plane landed safely in Abu Dhabi.
Upon landing, the airport medical staff promptly received the passenger, who was later reported to be in stable condition. The passenger's family expressed their heartfelt gratitude, saying, "We cannot thank these nurses enough. They were strangers to us, yet they gave our loved one another chance at life. Their kindness and courage will always stay in our prayers".
Unassumingly, Abhijith and Ajeesh proceeded to report for duty at Response Plus Medical without initially mentioning the incident. However, the story emerged through a fellow traveler and RPM employee, Brint Anto.
Dr. Mohamed Ali, Medical Director of RPM Projects, emphasized the critical importance of timing in cardiac emergencies. "In any cardiac arrest, every second counts," Dr. Ali stated. "Early recognition and prompt CPR can make the difference between life and death, whether it happens mid-flight or on the ground". He further added, "What these two nurses did reflects the very essence of medical readiness and teamwork".
Response Plus Medical honored Abhijith and Ajeesh with certificates of appreciation for their timely intervention and courage. The company's CEO, Dr. Rohil Raghavan, commended both nurses, stating that they "have shown the true spirit of RPM by saving a patient outside the hospital environment".
