Boy Band Singer Wears 19 Items of Clothing to Avoid Paying Fee, Collapses Mid-Flight

A member of the boy band Rewind fell ill on a flight after wearing several layers of clothes to avoid paying luggage fees.

A Scottish boy band singer is “lucky to be alive” after overdressing on a recent EasyJet flight. BBC News reports James McElvar, 19, received medical attention aboard the aircraft and was treated by paramedics upon landing after his excessive amount of clothing caused him to fall ill.

McElvar, member of the band Rewind, was preparing to board an EasyJet flight from London Stansted Airport (STN) to Glasgow Airport (GLA) with a small suitcase and backpack when gate agents told him he could only carry one bag aboard. Rather than pay a fee for the second bag, McElvar opted to wear all the clothes in his backpack and put the empty backpack in his suitcase.

When McElvar boarded, he was wearing 19 items of clothing — six t-shirts, four sweaters, three pairs of jeans, two pairs of jogging bottoms, two hats and two jackets. Unfortunately for the frugal singer, his plan backfired mid-flight when he collapsed and began vomiting.

McElvar was given oxygen onboard and was attended to by paramedics upon landing at GLA. BBC News reports the paramedics told McElvar that he was “lucky to be alive.”

Rewind later acknowledged the incident on Twitter and assured followers McElvar was recovering.

For everyone asking James is ok. He is being looked after in hospital now back home safe in Glasgow. He sends you all his love 😘

— REWIND (@rewind_music) July 8, 2015

In a statement, EasyJet confirmed that McElvar was given the option to either consolidate his items or pay a fee for the second item. “During the flight McElvar became unwell and our crew on board assisted him,” said an airline representative.

While EasyJet wished McElvar a speedy recovery, rival low-cost carrier Ryanair took to Twitter with a different message:

Hey James (@rewind_music) before you get hot under the collar, rewind, book #Ryanair & get 2 free bags. pic.twitter.com/kqk4Z721h3

— Ryanair (@Ryanair) July 10, 2015

[Photo: BBC]