Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Birmingham Airport heroes save passenger's life

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport heroes save passenger's life

Today, four employees working at Birmingham Airport will be presented with a Chief Constable’s Award and Royal Humane Society Resuscitation certificates for their actions which led to saving a life this very day last year.

Above: Kay Hodgkisson Customer Experience and Standards Manager and Stuart Haseley-Nejrup Head of Customer Experience.

The awards ceremony will be held tonight at the Lord Knights Suite, based at Tally Ho in Birmingham to honour their services.

On 13th June 2018, a passenger suffered cardiac arrest at Birmingham Airport and the actions of all four employees resulted in the passenger making a full recovery.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

As well as reassuring other passengers in the vicinity, CPR was performed on the patient until the paramedics arrived on site. With their condition stabilised, they were then taken to hospital for necessary monitoring and aftercare. 

Kay Hodgkisson, Customer Experience and Standards Manager at Birmingham Airport, along with Sergeant 3607 Nick Hill, Constable 20508 Adam Beckett and Constable 21491 Stuart Leeding from West Midlands Police, have been invited to the awards ceremony to be formally recognised for their lifesaving efforts.

Kay, who has worked at the airport for a number of years, said: “’No day is ever the same’ couldn’t be a truer statement with my role at Birmingham Airport. Each day you encounter lots of varying, and sometimes challenging situations that take a lot of training and on the job experience to be able to deal with.  

“Receiving a call about a casualty or fatality is probably the one call where you need to think the quickest. Every minute counts and in this particular scenario, our response was immediate. The passenger was found unconscious with a head injury – there was a lot to think about, keeping his family calm, controlling the passenger traffic to resuscitating the passenger, doing all we could until they showed signs of life.

“West Midlands Police did an incredible job, we all worked together faultlessly resulting in the passenger making a full recovery - which is just fantastic. I’m truly honoured to be receiving a Chief Constable’s Award and Royal Humane Society Resuscitation certificate and could not have done it without the support from the Police and the training received for my job.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

Stuart Haseley-Nejrup, Head of Customer Experience commented: “We are all so proud of Kay and the Police Officers for reacting so quickly and calmly.  Situations like this would test anyone, however the team reacted and worked together in an exemplary manner. 

"I am so pleased that the passenger has made a full recovery and how wonderful for Kay and the team to be recognised for this, especially as the ceremony takes place a year to the date!”

At the time of the incident, Kay Hodgkisson was a Passenger Services Manager, having now been promoted to her current role of Customer Experience and Standards Manager.


 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Anti-drone tech patents surge

Aerospace Defence Security

Anti-drone tech patents surge

19 March 2026

The number of patent applications for anti-drone (counter-UAV) technologies filed globally increased by 27% to 126 last year*, up from 99 the year before, according to new research from intellectual property (IP) law firm Mathys & Squire.

Marshall Aerospace secures five SAIL Mark projects

Aerospace Defence Security

Marshall Aerospace secures five SAIL Mark projects

18 March 2026

Marshall Aerospace is advancing it expertise in the UK’s fast-growing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) sector after securing five separate SAIL Mark assessment projects funded by Innovate UK and the Department for Transport.

Jet Zero Taskforce’s first annual report launched at SSWS

Aerospace Events

Jet Zero Taskforce’s first annual report launched at SSWS

18 March 2026

The UK Government and aviation industry yesterday set out significant progress towards decarbonising air travel, as Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Keir Mather MP launched the Jet Zero Taskforce’s first annual report at the Sustainable Skies World Summit (SSWS).

SalamAir enters eSIM and e-Visa partnership with Arcube

Aerospace

SalamAir enters eSIM and e-Visa partnership with Arcube

18 March 2026

Oman’s low-cost carrier, SalamAir, has announced a strategic collaboration with UK-based travel technology company Arcube, to launch eSIM and e-Visa services.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Met Office launches MAVIS

Aerospace Security Space

Met Office launches MAVIS

18 March 2026

The Met Office have officially launched the Met Office Aeronautical Visualisation Service (MAVIS) - a next-generation aviation weather platform designed to support a rapidly evolving aviation landscape, from traditional crewed aircraft to emerging spaceport operations.

AerCap orders 100 additional A320neo Family aircraft

Aerospace

AerCap orders 100 additional A320neo Family aircraft

18 March 2026

AerCap has signed a firm order with Airbus for 23 A320neo and 77 A321neo aircraft.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner