SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – A medical emergency thousands of feet in the air forced a plane to make an unexpected landing in Sioux Falls.
Steve Bombart and his wife were flying home to North Carolina Monday when Steve said he noticed something wasn’t right.
“I just stopped feeling well,” Steve Bombart said.
His wife, Fran, was sitting next to him on the flight. She said his face looked blank, and he couldn’t talk.
“A friend we were traveling with was a physician, and he took one look at him and jumped up and said this plane needs to land,” Fran Bombart said.
That’s when the pilot decided to make an emergency landing in Sioux Falls. Emergency crews rushed Steve to Sanford Health Hospital. Steve said he vaguely remembers the ride there.
“I think I was too afraid to be scared,” Steve said. “I was concerned like, why are they taking me in an ambulance to the hospital?”
Doctors determined Steve was having a stroke, and he needed immediate medical care. Doctors gave him medication to break up a blood clot.
“The clot buster medication aims to dissolve blood clots in the brain and restore the blood flow back to the area that was deprived from blood flow, aiming to reverse the stroke symptoms,” Sanford neurologist Dr. Ahmed Abd Elazim said.
Just a day later, Steve said he’s feeling much better. He said he owes it to the air and Sanford medical crews that stepped in.
“I was surprised and amazed how many people were in there waiting for me, which was very positive,” Steve said. “It made me think of how good of a hospital this is.”
As much as the Bombarts have tried making the best of their stay here in Sioux Falls, they are looking forward to returning home soon.
But until then, they’re grateful knowing they’re in good hands.
“He was back as if nothing had ever happened. I have to tell you, it was amazing,” Fran said. “You guys are great.”
Doctors said as long as Steve continues to improve, he could be discharged this week.
