Air China passenger saved during midair seizure with just a toothpick and a spoon

CALL him Dr MacGyver. An airline passenger was saved from a life-threatening seizure by a doctor on board who requested just a toothpick and a spoon.

A man's life has been saved by a doctor using just a spoon and a toothpick. Picture: Supplied

AN AIRLINE passenger was saved from a life-threatening seizure — using only a spoon and a toothpick.

The Sun reports that Air China staff panicked when they discovered a man on board foaming at the mouth in the throes of a terrifying seizure.

But they thanked their lucky stars when a hero medic raced to the front of the plane to save the day after a desperate call for a doctor was made.

Tian Yu, a medic at a Shanghai Hospital dived into action, immediately requesting his unorthodox surgery kit.

Using a spoon to hold the man’s tongue down and prevent him from choking, quick-thinking Dr Dr Yu stimulating pressure points on his head using the toothpick.

The method — which helps to “stimulate the brain” — is a popular remedy for seizures in Chinese medicine.

An Air China passenger had a lucky escape. Picture: Supplied

But it is not one Dr Yu is used to — having been an emergency ward doctor for seven years.

Remarkably the makeshift op worked during the flight between the cities of Kashgar and Urumqi.

The Asian Wire Report said the man was able to sit up and ask for water within minutes of Dr Yu’s lightning-fast actions.

He later warned that epilepsy fits, though rare, can be caused by the pressure and oxygen changes in aircraft cabins.

Aircrew are regularly forced to think quickly during midair emergencies.

One mum gave birth during the middle of a flight between Dubai and the Philippines after going into labour two months earlier.

Two nurses on board raced to the woman’s aid, helping her give birth without complication.

The baby was later given free flights for life with the carrier Cebu Pacific Air.

This article originally appeared in The Sun