ENGLAND football legend Stuart Pearce suffered a medical emergency on a plane at 30,000ft.
Crew hooked up the Three Lions hero and talkSPORT pundit, 62, to a monitor as shocked passengers looked on.
The SunStuart Pearce suffered a medical emergency on a plane at 30,000ft[/caption]
TWITTER @talksportThe talkSPORT pundit was hooked up to a monitor by the cabin crew as shocked passengers looked on[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationThe Three Lions legend was taken to hospital after the plane made an emergency landing in Canada[/caption]
The Virgin Atlantic flight from Las Vegas to Heathrow was diverted to Canada where Pearce is said to be recovering in hospital.
A source said: “He was clearly in a lot of pain.”
The star’s worried partner and passengers spotted him wincing in pain several hours into the flight.
Staff on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner checked him constantly and decided to change course to land at St John’s in Canada early on Monday.
Medics rushed on board and took the former Nottingham Forest defender to hospital where he is recovering.
He and his partner had been in the economy section of Flight VS156 that left the US at 8.45pm last Sunday.
A source said: “Stuart’s pains appeared to be getting worse as the flight continued.
“He was constantly shifting position in his seat to try and find some comfort.
“It was very clear the situation was serious.
“The crew and other passengers trained in first aid were marvellous.
“He received the best available care in the circumstances and was so grateful to everyone involved, and for the plane diverting to Canada.”
The remaining 225 passengers were later flown to Heathrow, arriving at 6.15pm on Monday — six hours later than scheduled.
Pearce had flown to Vegas to watch his rugby league team Warrington Wolves play Wigan Warriors.
He has been a fan since striking up a friendship with ex-Wolves coach Tony Smith.
Pearce had been due to speak at Christ The King Parish Centre in Coventry last night.
But the venue said that “due to unforeseen circumstances” he had been replaced by ex-England teammate John Barnes.
Dad Pearce was an England favourite, earning the nickname Psycho for his ferocious tackling.
He missed a penalty in the 1990 World Cup semi-final shootout with West Germany and left the pitch in tears.
But at the 1996 Euros he smashed home his spot-kick in the quarter-final penalties win over Spain and roared in delight.
He won 78 England caps and was briefly caretaker boss. He coached the U21s from 2007-13.
He began his playing career at Wealdstone then Coventry, later signing for Forest, Newcastle, West Ham and Manchester City.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said last night: “Due to an unwell customer on board, the VS156 on March 2 flying from Las Vegas to London Heathrow diverted to St John’s International Airport, Canada, and was met by the medical services.
“The safety and well-being of our customers and crew is always our number one priority and we apologise for the delay to our customers’ journey.”
GettyThe Virgin Atlantic flight from Las Vegas to Heathrow was diverted to Canada[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
