An 8-year-old girl named Sydney Weston, from Carl Junction, Missouri, tragically passed away after becoming suddenly ill during a flight bound for Chicago on Thursday morning.
According to the Peoria County Coroner’s Office, Sydney was traveling with her family for a vacation when she fell unresponsive mid-flight.
Flight personnel were alerted immediately by her family and began administering aid. The commercial flight, which originated from Joplin, Missouri, was diverted to Peoria, Illinois, where emergency responders awaited the landing.
On arrival in Peoria, Sydney was found to be not breathing and without a pulse. She was quickly transported to OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center, where medical staff made extensive efforts to revive her. Despite their best efforts she was pronounced dead at 8:05 a.m.
A preliminary autopsy did not reveal the cause of death. Authorities confirmed there was no evidence of foul play, abuse, or neglect. Further tests are being conducted, and results are expected in four to six weeks, which may provide more definitive answers.
SkyWest Airlines, in an email to legacy media outlet CNN, acknowledged the flight diversion to Peoria and praised the prompt response of their crew and the medical personnel. Authorities and the family’s representatives are yet to provide additional information as investigations continue.
Image credit: Kelly Trimble, CC BY-SA 4.0
