A four-month-old girl has reportedly died on a flight from Heathrow to Hong Kong, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing.
Chinese media reported the four-month-old fell unconscious on Sunday afternoon while travelling with her parents on Cathay Pacific flight CX256.
A passenger, who works as a nurse, went to offer first aid to the child before the plane landed at Kazakhstan to seek medical help.
Despite a battle by doctors, the child, named by Chinese website Apple Daily as Jasmine, was pronounced dead at the airport.
The girl’s parents then made the heartbreaking decision to continue flying to Hong Kong with their dead child on board.
It was reported the child had a French mother and Chinese-French father who had been travelling to visit relatives on China’s mainland.
The baby may have suffered a gastrointestinal disorder before boarding the plane, local media said, but a coroner must still decide the cause of her death.
A Cathay Pacific spokesman said: “Cathay Pacific confirms that an infant who travelled from London to Hong Kong on CX256 on 16 April 2016 was found unconscious during the flight and sadly passed away despite emergency medical treatment.
“Medlink services were consulted and as advised, the flight was diverted to Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan so that immediate medical attention could be provided.
“Upon landing, the infant was diagnosed by the local medical officers. The family continued their journey to Hong Kong with the infant on CX256.
“Due to privacy concerns and out of respect to the family, we are unable to provide details of the incident.
“We are saddened by the incident and offer our sincere condolences to the family.”
Evening Standard
4 m/o baby girl dies on Cathay Pacific flight
