Baby dies on AirAsia flight to Perth

A passenger has described the harrowing moment a baby died on a flight from Malaysia to Perth.

The plane was met by police and paramedics when it arrived at Perth Airport. Picture: Supplied

The harrowing death of a two-month-old baby girl during a flight from Malaysia to Perth was ­described by a fellow passenger who tried to help the infant as “the most confronting situation one could possibly go through”.

The infant became unwell and died during a flight from Kuala Lumpur on board Flight D7236­ ­arriving in Perth early yesterday.

AirAsia confirmed yesterday there had been “a medical emergency involving an infant” aboard the plane.

“Upon arrival, the aircraft was met by a team of medical specialists and relevant authorities, including West Australian police. We are unable to comment further on the infant’s medical situation (but) our thoughts are with the infant and family involved.”

Passenger Nadia Parenzee wrote on Facebook that she had cradled the baby as she died. “Flying home from Malaysia this morning I encountered the most confronting situation one could possibly go through,” she wrote. “I had a newborn baby take her last dying breath in my arms.”

She said a Saudi couple had been travelling to Perth “to start a new life for themselves in Australia”.

“At the start of the flight, the baby was really restless and cried continuously. I offered the parents and the staff some assistance as I could see that the new parents were stressed,’’ Ms Parenzee said.

“As I closed my eyes to catch some sleep, the AirAsia hostess tapped me on the shoulder to help her. The parents offered the baby to me with desperation in their eyes. I took her in my arms and ­immediately read (a prayer). Then baby Farah took her last breath and went limp.

“I immediately knew something was horribly wrong and shouted out to the passengers to see if there were any doctors on board.”

She said for 2½ hours there were attempts to resuscitate the infant until the plane landed. St John Ambulance said it received the emergency call at 5am, ahead of the aircraft landing at 5.35am.

Paramedics were not able to save the infant.

An airport ground staff member was seen carrying an empty pram off the plane.

Ms Parenzee praised the crew members of AirAsia for their care and professionalism. “My heart is numb and I don’t know how to feel but I am honestly honoured to have held her and read a prayer on her before she passed,” she wrote.

The AirAsia plane was due to leave Perth at 6.50am for Kuala Lumpur, but was delayed for four hours while police attended the scene. The girl’s death is being treated as non-suspicious.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

a two-month old infant dies on air asia flight. it’s our flight. delayed since 6.50 am this morning. we are patiently waiting. #airasia #perth pic.twitter.com/T9Kq34YZmd

— zura rahman (@rahman_zura) April 22, 2019