According to authorities, an eight-year-old girl died after suffering a medical emergency aboard a United Airlines flight.
United Flight 5121 took off from Joplin, Missouri, at 6 a.m. Thursday and was headed to Chicago when it diverted to Peoria, Illinois, about 45 minutes after takeoff.
Authorities said the girl, identified as Sydney Weston, became ill and then became unresponsive and the flight was forced to make an emergency landing.
“His family immediately notified flight personnel of his condition and they quickly began rendering aid,” the coroner said.
First responders met the girl at the airport after the plane landed, but the girl was not breathing and had no pulse, according to the coroner’s office.
United Flight 5121 took off from Joplin, Missouri, at 6 a.m. Thursday and was headed to Chicago when it diverted to Peoria, Illinois, about 45 minutes after takeoff.
Sydney was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 8am, despite “aggressive resuscitation efforts”.
The autopsy is scheduled for Friday.
Sydney, from Carl Junction, Missouri, was traveling with her family on vacation.
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 taking life-saving measures. “.
‘The girl was transported to a local hospital by AMT where she was sadly pronounced deceased.
“Please keep the child’s family and everyone who was involved in this traumatic experience in your thoughts and prayers.”
The flight was operated by SkyWest.
A SkyWest spokesperson said: “We appreciate the efforts of our crew members who responded quickly to assist and the medical staff who received the aircraft.”
Flight 5121 took off again for Chicago before 1:00 pm Thursday.
