Sir Jackie Stewart taken to hospital after 'medical emergency' during flight

Published on Wednesday 2 March 2011 14:12

SCOTS motor racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart was taken to hospital today after falling ill on a London-bound flight.

It is understood the 72-year-old former Formula One world champion had to be given first aid by British Airways stewardesses after complaining of chest pains on a flight from Geneva.

Sir Jackie's son, Paul, told BBC Sport that his father had passed out and as a precaution had been taken to hospital.

He said: "I've just spoken to him in hospital. He seemed absolutely fine but obviously something happened and we need to establish what, but I'm on my way to see him right now.

"I should think he'll just be checked over and hopefully it will be nothing more sinister than that."

The aircraft was met by paramedics on its arrival at Heathrow's Terminal 5 and Sir Jackie is thought to have been taken to Hillingdon Hospital in west London.

Sir Jackie had been returning to the UK from the Geneva Motor Show.

According to journalists on board the BA plane, the pilot asked passengers if there were any medical personnel on board, stating that there was a medical emergency.

It was reported that Stewart got up to go to the toilet during the flight but never returned to his seat.

Sir Jackie was travelling on BA727 from Geneva, which landed at Heathrow at around 12.40pm.

BA said: "Our flight crew requested a priority landing so that a male passenger could receive medical attention immediately on arrival.

"Our cabin crew cared for the customer during the flight. We wish him well."

The West Dunbartonshire-born Stewart was three times world motor racing champion and was a giant of Grand Prix racing in the 1960s and 1970s.