My Near-Death Experience at 36,000 Feet: The Flight That Almost Killed Me

By Lewis Barnett 4 May, 2025 5 mins read 38 Views

I never thought I'd start an interview talking about my own mortality. Yet here I am, still shaken by what happened on that Qatar Airways flight back in March. The memories are hazy—fever, confusion, then... nothing. Complete blackout.

Bloody terrifying, if I'm honest.

When Your Body Just Says "Nope"

I was feeling proper good that day. Excited even. Had my "BOSS" sweatshirt on (bit cheesy, I know) and was ready for Thailand. Paul snapped that photo of me before takeoff—me looking all confident and healthy. Ha! Little did I know what was coming.

About two and a half hours into the flight, something went seriously wrong. Started feeling hot, agitated, couldn't settle. Remember getting up for the loo and then... well, my mind just went blank. Completely forgot where I was or what was happening.

That's never happened to me before. Not once in my 63 years.

Waking Up in a Foreign Hospital

Next thing I knew, I was staring at a hospital ceiling in Qatar with a drip in my arm and Paul looking worried sick beside me. Couldn't understand a word the nurses were saying. My head was spinning with questions—Why am I here? What about Thailand? The speaking events? Those fans who'd paid good money to see me?

Turns out I'd been wheeled off the plane, stretchered to a medical centre, then rushed to Al-Wakra Hospital in an ambulance. All while I was out cold.

"If Paul hadn't been there," I told the interviewer, "I don't think I would have been sitting here doing this interview with you."

The Nightmare of Being Stuck

Two weeks. TWO WEEKS stuck in that hospital bed! For someone like me who's always moving, always training... absolute torture. The doctors kept telling me off for getting out of bed. I just wanted to MOVE.

They ran all sorts of tests—brain scans, body scans, even did a lumbar puncture to rule out meningitis. Never had one of those before. Not pleasant.

And because I hadn't cleared passport control, I had no belongings, no phone, nothing. Couldn't even discharge myself if I wanted to. Paul was handling everything—poor bloke was calling family, dealing with insurers, rescheduling events. Don't know what I'd have done without him.

When Your Mortality Hits You Like a Right Hook

I've been in some tough situations in my life—fought the best in teh world, been knocked down, got back up. But this? This was different.

"I did fear the worst," I admitted. "I realised I had to stay there for my health—because my life was on the line."

That's not something I say lightly. Not something I ever thought I'd say, to be honest.

The Rescue Mission

Thank God for insurance! Zurich arranged for a UK doctor to fly out and accompany us back home in business class. Got the VIP treatment through the airport—no queues, no fuss. Still felt weak, but at least I was heading home.

Spent another fortnight in a private London hospital after that. Much better experience—could eat properly, hit the gym, watch telly, even go for walks around Hyde Park. Came out feeling strong again.

The support from the public after The Sun broke the story on March 21st? Overwhelming. Cards, calls, messages... means a lot when you're down.

Back in the Ring (Sort Of)

I'm up at 5:30 most mornings now, training hard. Got a new personal trainer who's pushing me. The Frank Bruno Foundation work continues—helping people with mental health struggles through exercise and support. It's work that matters to me.

Those bright colored suits I was planning to buy in Thailand will have to wait. But I'll get there eventually, see those fans who missed out.

For now, I'm focusing on the British tour dates we've rescheduled. And I promise you this—I'm looking after myself properly. Ducking and diving, but taking no chances.

Life's too precious for that. I've looked death in the face at 36,000 feet, and I'm not keen to do it again anytime soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How important is recovery to boxing training?

Recovery is paramount in boxing as it allows your body to heal and grow stronger. To ensure a speedy recovery, it is important to get enough rest, stretch, sleep well, drink plenty of water, eat nutritively, and follow a balanced diet. Ignoring recover can lead overtraining, injury and decreased performances.

Can boxing help improve mental health?

Boxing can significantly improve mental health by reducing stress, enhancing mood, boosting self-esteem, providing a sense of accomplishment, and promoting discipline. Training can serve as a type of meditation to help clear the mind.

How do I wrap hands for boxing?

Hand wrapping is crucial in boxing to protect your hands and wrists from injury. Wraps are unwound and placed around the thumb. Extend the wrap over your hand and then circle your wrist. Cross your fingers between each other, then cover your knuckles. Finally, secure the wrap with Velcro.

Statistics

It is estimated that 60% of beginner boxers do not use the correct size gloves, which can increase the risk of injury.
Studies show that proper hand wrapping can reduce the chance of hand and wrist injuries by as much as 40%.
Nearly 95% of boxing trainers agree that mental conditioning is just as important as physical training for beginners in the sport.
On average, beginners who undergo proper boxing training can expect to burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories per hour.
Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
Research indicates that nearly 70% of punches thrown by boxers during a match are jabs.
Women are joining boxing in increasing numbers, rising by about 15% in the past decade, indicating growing gender diversity in the sport.
About 25% of people who take up boxing transition to competitive amateur boxing within their first two years of training.
Nearly 80% of boxing training injuries are related to incorrect technique, especially within the first three months of taking up the sport.
An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.

External Links

How To

How to Avoid common Injuries when Boxing

Start by practicing proper technique. From your punches to the way you walk, it's all part of preventing common injuries. Warm up your muscles before exercising to avoid strains and increase flexibility. Listen to your body as you gradually increase your intensity. Maintaining your protective equipment is vital to preventing injuries.