Girl, 8, dies aboard SkyWest flight from Missouri to Chicago
An eight-year-old girl died after suffering a medical emergency aboard a commercial flight, according to officials. SkyWest Flight 5121, operated in partnership with United Airlines, departed from Joplin, Missouri, on Thursday at 6 am and was headed to Chicago when it diverted to Peoria, Illinois, about 45 minutes after take off.
Officials said the girl, identified as Sydney Weston, became ill and then unresponsive and the flight was forced to make an emergency landing.
'Her family immediately notified the flight personnel of her condition, and they began rapidly rendering aid,' the coroner said.
First-responders met the child at the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport after the plane landed but the girl was not breathing and had no pulse, according to the coroner's office. Sydney was rushed her to the hospital, where she was declared dead just after 8am, despite 'aggressive resuscitative efforts.'
An autopsy is scheduled for Friday. Sydney, from Carl Junction, Missouri, was traveling with her 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 received the 8-year-old female child and began life-saving measures. 'The child was transported to a local hospital by AMT where she was unfortunately 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, which operates through partnerships with United, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
A SkyWest spokesperson said: 'We appreciate the efforts of our crewmembers who responded quickly to assist and the medical personnel who met the aircraft.' Flight 5121 took off to Chicago again before 1 pm Thursday.
Her maternal grandmother Teri Carlson posted a tribute on Facebook, where people have been leaving their condolences. One person said: 'She was such a treasure... it just not real yet. I don't know that it ever will be. My Love and hugs are with you all.' Another person added: 'What a beautiful little light. My heart is so broken for you and her family.'
