Congressman Ruiz uses doctor role during plane emergency

Local Congressman Raul Ruiz stepped in to assist a fellow passenger who collapsed on a flight Thursday, his office confirmed to POLITICO.

Ruiz’s spokesman, Michael Ford said there was a medical emergency on the flight from Washington to Fort Worth, Texas. “The passenger collapsed and Dr. Ruiz stepped in,” Ford said.

The Democratic congressman, who is also an emergency room physician, was en route to Palm Springs, when a fellow passenger collapsed on his connecting flight on Thursday. The flight was diverted to Raleigh, North Carolina, because of the incident.

Although it is unclear what specifically was done to stabilize the passenger, Ruiz’s spokesman confirmed the lawmaker stepped in to help. “They did receive medical attention from the congressman,” Ford told POLITICO. Ford added that he is “not sure” if the passenger was taken to a medical facility once the plane landed, but Ruiz continued on to Palm Springs.