An eight-year-old girl died after suffering a medical emergency aboard a United Airlines flight, officials said.
United Flight 5121 departed from Joplin, Missourion Thursday at 6 a.m. and was on my way to Chicago when it diverted to Peoria, Illinoisapproximately 45 minutes after takeoff.
Officials said the girl was identified as Sydney Weston became ill and subsequently became unresponsive and the flight was forced to make an emergency landing.
“Her family immediately notified flight crews of her condition, and they quickly began rendering aid,” the coroner said.
First responders met the child at the airport after the plane landed, but the girl was not breathing and had no pulse, the coroner’s office said.
United Flight 5121 departed 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’.
An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.
Sydney, from Carl Junction, Missouri, was on vacation with her family.
The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office said, “When the aircraft landed, officers, AMT personnel and Air National Guard fire personnel immediately received the 8-year-old female child and initiated lifesaving measures.
“The child was transported by AMT to a local hospital where she was sadly pronounced deceased.
Officials said the girl, identified as Sydney Weston, became ill and then became unresponsive and the flight was forced to make an emergency landing (stock image)
“Please keep the child’s family and everyone 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 personnel who encountered the aircraft.’
Flight 5121 departed again for Chicago before 1 p.m. on Thursday.
