An airline has praised the quick thinking of a captain after a fellow pilot fell ill during a flight at the weekend from Inverness.
The Flybe BE1574 flight, bound for Jersey, was redirected to Manchester after the drama which happened halfway into the journey.
The Dash 8 aircraft made a safe emergency landing at Manchester where the sick crewman was carried by stretcher to an awaiting ambulance by paramedics.
A fire crew had joined the ambulance team near the airport’s control tower.
A spokeswoman for the airline said the captain “quickly and efficiently took the necessary action and followed all required precautionary safety procedures to ensure the continued safe operation of the aircraft.”
All 44 passengers disembarked as normal and were later reaccommodated on another flight.
Flybe apologised for the situation.
The company spokeswoman added: “All airlines train their crew to be prepared for all possible incidents, however rare, including that of a crew member becoming incapacitated during a flight.
“Flybe crews are highly trained professionals and such procedures are reinforced on a regular basis.
“The safety of its passengers and crew remaining its highest priority at all times.”
The passengers on board the flight, which was scheduled to take two hours, were put on a later flight to their channel island destination.
The condition of the pilot is not known.
