Local MP Performs First Aid on Fellow Passenger During Flight

Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty is getting credit for taking quick action on an Air Canada flight from Vancouver to Prince George last week.

A fellow passenger collapsed during the flight and Doherty administered first aid until the man regained consciousness. He then continued to help the man until the plane made it back to Vancouver.

Doherty says his response was nothing special.

“I think anybody probably would have done the same. You don’t have a lot of time to think. I was in Row 3, the gentleman that collapsed was in Row 2 and fell into Row 1. Instinct takes over and you want to do whatever you can to help.”

He says he actually knows the man who collapsed, which made the incident really hit home.

And Doherty wasn’t alone in offering help.

“I just want to make mention that it wasn’t just me. There was a gentleman by the name of John – he jumped as well. When I needed that help right there, he was right there to help, to do whatever we needed to do to make sure that we got a good outcome. I just want to really say thank you. I can’t say it enough.”

Fellow passenger John Summers posted about the incident in the Hell Yeah Prince George Facebook Group.

Doherty says he’s since spoken with the man, who seems to be fine after receiving further medical care.

Here’s what happened in Doherty’s own words.

It was the last flight of the day and I had just had a conversation with the gentleman that was sitting across the aisle from me, who I know, and and we just gotten our service…our drinks and the flight attendant was moving towards the back of the plane. I put my headphones in after we finished our conversation and just kind of turned away and was looking… out of the window of the plane and there’s a loud bang and so I turn my head, thinking that maybe the gentleman across the way had dropped something. His eyes are wide and he just said, ‘Do you know first aid?’ And then I saw the feet in the aisle and just kind of flew into action.

(Files from Shannon Waters with MYPRINCEGEORGENOW)