04 April 2023 , 15:06
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Police have issued a statement after a woman died onboard a Jet2 flight from Tenerife to Manchester on Sunday.
The passenger fell ill around three hours into the journey, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing at Cornwall's Newquay Airport in a bid to save her life.
Witnesses onboard told of the "emotional" scenes as a woman was seen being led to a toilet "in distress", before taking a "sudden turn".
Devon and Cornwall Police has now confirmed that the passenger who died was a woman aged in her 60s from Cheshire.
A force spokesperson said: "Police were called at 7.20pm on Sunday 2 April, following concern for the welfare of a woman on an aeroplane that was diverted to Newquay Airport, St Mawgan.
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Police confirmed that the passenger who died was a woman aged in her 60s from Cheshire (file photo) (Bloomberg via Getty Images)"Ambulance also attended. Despite best efforts, the woman, in her 60s and from Cheshire, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
"Her next of kin have been informed.
"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner."
The plane later took off again, landing in Manchester at around 10pm.
A passenger told Manchester Evening News: "A few hours into the flight a man was helping a woman he was with to the bathroom. She looked to be in quite a state and was in distress.
"Cabin crew had a chat with them and at one point they had to lay her down in front of the doors where the seats with extra leg room are.
"She was being asked how much pain she was in so that they could relay it back to the captain.
The plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Cornwall's Newquay Airport (John McLinden/Flickr)"She seemed to take a sudden turn. The cabin crew put out an announcement for any medical staff on board. Then the plane took a very dramatic veer to the right and it was clear something had changed and we needed to land straight away.
"Quite a few people were visibly upset and emotional by what was going on. She passed out, and they had oxygen on board and a defibrillator on board and started performing CPR. They did this for around an hour until we landed at Newquay.
"The air ambulance and a second ambulance was waiting when we landed, and they quickly got the steps and transported her out of the side of the plane on a scoop stretcher."
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In a statement, Jet2 confirmed the passenger on board had passed away, and thanked the crew as well as customers who were on hand to provide assistance.
A spokesperson said: "Flight LS756 from Tenerife to Manchester diverted to Cornwall Airport Newquay yesterday evening, due to a customer requiring medical attention.
"Regrettably, we can confirm that the customer has sadly passed away. Our thoughts are with the customer’s family and friends at this very difficult time.
"We would like to express our thanks to our crew, as well as other customers who provided assistance onboard.