Jack Fowler, one of the stars from season four of Love Island, shared his near-death experience due to an allergic reaction on an Emirates Airline flight to Dubai. The reality TV star alleges that negligence on the part of the airline staff nearly cost him his life. Despite Fowler’s repeated warnings to the flight attendants about his severe nut allergy, he asserted that they gave him a chicken curry that contained cashews.
“Immediately, my throat closed up, and breathing became extremely difficult,” Fowler recounted on Instagram. “I told a flight attendant I couldn’t breathe and if there were nuts in the food. I was told that there were no nuts in the chicken curry AGAIN.”
Near-Death At 35,000 Feet
The incident occurred on June 17, 2024, as Fowler traveled from London to Dubai. He described how the flight crew’s reassurances that the meal was nut-free proved disastrously incorrect. The “Creamy Cashew Nut Chicken Curry” caused Fowler’s throat to close almost instantly after the first bite.
Fowler shared a video on social media of himself using an EpiPen to manage the severe allergic reaction. Despite this, his condition required five tanks of oxygen and urgent medical attention. He pleaded with the flight supervisor, stating, “If you don’t land this plane soon, I will die on this plane.” His pleas led the pilot to expedite the journey to Dubai.
Public And Expert Reactions
Following the incident, Fowler has been vocal about the need for airlines to take food allergies more seriously. “The rate of allergies in young people is on the up, and I feel like it’s a sign of the times where people need to be looked after on these flights,” Fowler said on Good Morning Britain. He emphasized the severity of allergies and the ignorance surrounding them.
Medical experts have also weighed in on the situation. Dr. Gareth Nye, a senior lecturer at Chester Medical School, explained to The Mirror the dangers of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. “Anaphylaxis is simply a very strong allergic reaction that can be life-threatening,” Dr. Nye stated, highlighting the importance of understanding and preventing such incidents. Fowler’s experience has sparked a conversation about airline policies regarding food allergies. He hopes his ordeal will prompt airlines to adopt stricter measures to ensure passenger safety.
