A RYANAIR passenger has died of a suspected heart attack at 35,000ft leaving horrifed holidaymakers in shock.

The 84-year-old man became unresponsive about an hour into a flight from Manchester to Malaga last Friday afternoon, it's reported.

Airline staffed rushed to give first aid before asking passengers if anyone had a medical background.

Emma Gaskell, a medical trainer, and a nurse came forward, but they found the pensioner with no pulse.

Both passengers and a Ryanair cabin crew worker battled to save the man with 25 minutes of CPR and a defibrillator.

The captain made an emergency landing in Nantes, France, but Emma said paramedics there confirmed he'd died.

'SHAKEN'

She told Manchester Evening News: "Paramedics came and took him off the plane and they were another 15 minutes, but he didn't make it.

"The crew were a bit shaken and needed some time."

The man who died is said to be from the Manchester area and was travelling with his family, including his son and grandchildren.

Following the midair tragedy the flight eventually landed at Malaga at 3am on Saturday.

Emma praised cabin crew staff for their action and said defibrillators are "generally very successful".

She said: "Sadly on this occasion it wasn't a good ending but in a different situation it could have saved someone.

"You don't know when something like that could happen and I think it's important to raise awareness.

"The Ryanair staff were really, really good. I'm glad I could help – everybody just did their best."

A Ryanair spokesman told Manchester Evening News: "Ryanair extends its deepest sympathies to the bereaved and is providing any assistance required."

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