“It was almost lifeless… after 45 minutes, he opened his eyes and gave a smile.”
These words capture the dramatic moments of a transatlantic flight from Vienna to New York, where an act of humanity by a Kosovar became a miracle.
The protagonist is Malë Dautaj, a doctor from Peja, who, with professionalism and courage, managed to save the life of a young American.
On the fully packed flight, Dautaj encountered this emergency situation for the first time in his life.
He shared this extraordinary experience, which he faced with great responsibility and professional pride. He recounted the moment when help was urgently requested for the passenger, whose condition was rapidly deteriorating and was nearly lifeless.
“Around 16:00 in the afternoon, during the flight over the ocean from Vienna to New York, I noticed an emergency situation in the cabin. A young man’s condition was worsening quickly, and help was immediately requested,” he said.
In those critical moments, Dautaj approached the patient and immediately understood the severity of the situation.
“I went to the patient and noticed he was lying there, almost lifeless. Initially, we moved him to the front of the plane, where he could be treated more safely,” he explained.
Facing a situation where every second counted, the responsibility he took on was vital for the young American’s life.
He continued, explaining that intervention was necessary to save the patient.
He carried out the procedure using his personal medical equipment, along with tools provided by the plane’s crew.
“I ran to get my personal equipment, and then asked the crew for additional necessary medical bags. With the help of a young man who assisted me the entire time, we started emergency treatment. It was an immense responsibility, but it was essential to bring the patient back to life; otherwise, the situation would have been fatal,” he told Klan Kosova.
The efforts lasted almost an hour, and thanks to continuous resuscitation and maximum dedication, the young man smiled.
The moments of his revival were met with applause from passengers, and for the Kosovar doctor, with 27 years of experience, it was the greatest emotional and professional reward.
“I noticed the patient lacked oxygen. After about 45 minutes of continuous resuscitation and intervention, he opened his eyes and gave the first smile—a deeply touching moment. The applause I received was truly impressive, as it was the first time I performed such an intervention on a plane. I felt genuinely happy,” concluded Dautaj.
