Love Island UK star Jack Fowler details near-fatal nut allergy ordeal on Emirates flight from London to Dubai
Former Love Island UK star Jack Fowler has relived his traumatic nut allergy ordeal on board an Emirates flight triggered by a meal he was told did not contain nuts.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the 28-year-old made his near-fatal reaction public following his flight from London to Dubai.
“People should be aware of the severity of how bad food allergies can be and the complete negligence from @emirates airline,” he wrote.
The reality TV star shares that as soon as he had a mouthful of the chicken “throat closed up” and “breathing became extremely difficult.” Credit: Jack Fowler
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The post has so far received over 150,000 likes and 4,500 comments from people wishing him well and sharing their experiences with severe nut allergies. Credit: Jack Fowler
Fowler posted two videos and four photos along with a lengthy caption explaining how he ended up needing five tanks of oxygen, his Epi-Pen and a bed at the Dubai airport hospital.
“I wasn’t given a menu to choose from. Instead, I was asked directly if I wanted chicken or fish,” he wrote.
Speaking to PerthNow, Fowler said when he asked the flight attendant if his chicken meal contained nuts, the staff member appeared “robotic”, “tired” and “didn’t check with anyone or a menu”.
At this point Fowler was looking visibly unwell triggering his friend to get involved and “demand to see the menu” where he discovered the meal was a “Creamy Cashew Nut chicken Curry”. Credit: jackfowler
“When I asked for the chicken, I told the air host that I’m severely allergic to all nuts. I was then told that there were no nuts in the chicken curry,” his Instagram post read.
“When I received the meal, I asked the same flight attendant again to make sure, and I was told that it did not include nuts.”
The reality TV star shared that as soon as he took a bite of the chicken, his “throat closed up” and “breathing became extremely difficult.”
“I told a flight attendant I couldn’t breathe and was told that there were no nuts in the chicken curry AGAIN,” he said.
At this point, Fowler was looking visibly unwell, triggering his friend to get involved and “demand to see the menu”, where he discovered the meal was a “creamy cashew nut chicken curry”.
The ill passenger finally drew assistance from the cabin crew after being given a menu to read and noticing there were indeed cashews — providing him with five oxygen tanks.
Recalling the dramatic situation, Fowler said he didn’t see the original flight attendant again as he “disappeared” while someone else administered the medication.
jack fowler Credit: jackfowler
Fowler outlined how other airlines he’s travelled with take precautions to avoid such situations.
“People are often unsure which is ok, but they always check, go through ingredients with me, put it over the loud speaker and say that they are not serving nuts.”
Emirates told PerthNow it cares greatly for the health of their passengers.
“We are sorry to hear of Mr Fowler’s experience and our teams on ground are providing him with all possible assistance. The safety and health of our customers is taken very seriously,” an Emirates spokesperson said.
The airline continued to say while they offer “a variety of special needs that cover medical, dietary, and religious requirements, we cannot guarantee a nut-free flight environment.”
Passengers are also instructed to check the Emirates website or “consult their doctor” before travel.
Love Islander Jack Fowler Credit: jackfowler
Fowler suggested while he was unaware the airline couldn’t promise to avoid nuts on board entirely, cabin crew should have shown more care.
“Couldn’t see that anywhere and at the end of they day when you board a plane your safety is with the crew,” he said.
Eventually given medication by staff, he said it simply wasn’t adequate.
“I was given an antihistamine but it took them 45 minutes to get it to me. My friend said ‘he needs more’ and the flight attendant said ‘he is not allowed anything else’ so that’s when I used my Epi Pen.”
“There were discussions about diverting to Turkey as we were only an hour and half into the flight.”
Past experience made the unwell TV star worried a standard dose of medication wouldn’t suffice.
“Last 2 episodes my epi pen hasn’t done enough and I have relapsed, which puts me into a fitting state having to have 2 epi pens because of the adrenaline overdose.”
“It was a close shave.”
Fowler said Emirates had not reached out to him since the ordeal despite his legal team attempting to contact them.
Hoping to educate the public on the risks of food allergies, the reality star insisted they had never been more prevalent within the community.
“I want people to take note of how severe allergies are, lots of people don’t have allergies so don’t understand, its such a big thing in society, more young people now are allergic than ever before.
“Fortunately I have come out the other side and I want to use my platform to help others.”