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35-Year-Old Recovers After Mid-Flight Stroke Prompting Emergency Landing in Houston

An onboard physician’s swift intervention followed by neuro-emergency surgery removed a life-threatening clot, restoring her speech and mobility.

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Overview

  • Maricela Hernandez Quezada suffered a stroke mid-flight on May 30, forcing the plane from Turkey to Mexico to divert to George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
  • A doctor traveling on the flight recognized her symptoms, administered oxygen and urged the crew to make the unscheduled landing.
  • She was stabilized at Memorial Hermann Northeast before being flown to Memorial Hermann The Woodlands for neuro-interventional surgery the same day.
  • Surgeons removed a dangerous brain clot and she has since regained the ability to walk and speak.
  • Her medical team anticipates a full recovery within months and urges long-haul travelers to move every two to three hours to reduce clot risk.