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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Matthew Dresch

BA captain wears oxygen mask to land plane at Heathrow as co-pilot 'overcome by fumes'

A British Airways pilot made an emergency landing at Heathrow Airport while wearing an oxygen mask after his co-pilot was supposedly overcome by fumes, it has been reported.

The co-pilot is said to have complained about feeling unwell as the plane made its final approach into London.

His colleague was then forced to take over and raise the alarm in the final stages of the flight, according to the Daily Mail.

The A320 aircraft, which took off from Athens, Greece, was grounded for 48 hours after the incident.

Passengers were completely unaware of the scare.

The co-pilot was assessed by medical staff and allowed to go home after the plane touched down, it is claimed.

The plane was carrying passengers from Athens to Heathrow (Getty Images)
British Airways pilot Richard Westgate died after being exposed to toxic oil fumes on passenger planes (Facebook)

Almost 300 'fume events' were reported by BA last year, with Unite slamming airlines for exposing staff to danger.

A BA spokesman told the Daily Mail: "The Captain landed the aircraft safely, and customers disembarked as normal. 

"As the First Officer was feeling unwell, he was seen by an airport paramedic as a precaution, before going home."

British Airways reported almost 300 'fume events' last year (Jonathan Buckmaster/Daily Express)

British Airways pilots Karen Lysakowska and Richard Westgate died within days of each other in 2013 after complaining about exposure to toxic fumes on passenger jets.

Mr Westgate, 43, had instructed lawyers to sue BA for alleged breach of health and safety guidelines.

Ms Lysakowska pleaded with BA bosses to look into the issue after she had to stop flying due to ill health in 2005.

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