Passengers restrain Air Canada pilot suffering medical emergency

Emergency crews were waiting when this Air Canada plane, initially bound for Halifax, diverted to Boston instead.The captain had a serious medical episode in the air.

The flight is being manned by the co -pilot.The pilot is incapacitated.

Rodney McDonald was on board with his family when they felt the plane violently jolt several times.

The cockpit door flew open and the Flight attendant was dragging the captain out by his armpits.

He says the captain initially wasn't moving, but that changed.

He was kicking and flailing and hollering.So me and a couple other men sort of flung up there and We're trying to restrain him.

The co -pilot landed the plane safely.Exactly, says Air Canada, as they're trained to do.

That's the benefit of having two pilots.

David McNair has worked as a pilot and as an expert in aviation safety.He says crews prepare specifically for these types of situations.

The idea of having one pilot on the flight deck is a bad idea, I think.And this kind of proves it.You can't guarantee perfect health all the time with any individual in the world.

But there are precautions pilots typically take.

At the very start of their duty day and throughout their duty day, make their assessments about how they're feeling.They also assess each other.

McDonald's says after the pilot was helped off by emergency crews, passengers eventually re -boarded the same plane, making it safely to Halifax that night.

We saw a lot of great character from everyone that was there.The staff, the other passengers.People were really concerned for the captain's well -being.

Air Canada says the captain was taken for medical treatment in Boston but has not provided any further updates.Sian Desjardins, CBC News, Toronto.