An eight-year-old Missouri girl died from multiple health complications while flying with her family on vacation.
Sydney Weston, an elementary school student, was heading to Chicago with her family when she became ill and then unresponsive after taking off from Joplin, Missouri, on a SkyWest flight in June.
The flight was diverted to Peoria, Illinois, about 45 minutes after takeoff and was forced to make an emergency landing.
Sydney was later pronounced dead at the hospital, with the coroner saying it was due to chronic primary adrenalitis, a chronic condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
Sydney Weston was heading to Chicago with her family when she fell ill and then became unresponsive after taking off from Joplin, Missouri, on a SkyWest flight in June.
He also had multiple infections including streptococcus and enterovirus, as well as duodenitis (an inflammation of the small intestine) and thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid duct.
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said the conditions suggest an underlying autoimmune disorder, as reported by 25News Now.
Sydney, from Carl Junction, Missouri, was traveling with her parents Whitney and Dan and her older brother Evan.
The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office said: ‘When the plane landed, deputies, AMT personnel and Air National Guard fire personnel immediately met the 8-year-old girl and began life-saving measures.
The flight was operated by SkyWest, which operates through partnerships with United, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
‘The child was transported to a local hospital by AMT where she was sadly pronounced deceased.
‘Please keep the boy’s family and everyone who was involved in this traumatic experience in your thoughts and prayers.’
The flight was operated by SkyWest, which operates through partnerships with United, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
A SkyWest spokesman said: “We appreciate the efforts of our crew members, who responded quickly to assist, and the medical personnel who greeted the aircraft.”