A woman has died in front of her two children and husband after becoming unresponsive during a flight.
Helen Rhodes and her family were flying to the United Kingdom on Friday, August 5, following a 15-year "adventure" living in Hong Kong.
However, after a few hours into the long-haul flight, the mother of two "passed away in her sleep," and could not be resuscitated.
"This all unfolded in front of her children," her friend Jayne Jeje said on a GoFundMe page set up to support her family - which has exceeded expectations and raised over £20,000.
"We are still in disbelief and shock about the sudden passing of our dearest friend whose life has touched many people in Hong Kong and the UK," Jeje wrote.
Jeje described Rhodes as one of a kind, and a prominent member of her community in Tung Chung, Hong Kong. She wrote that for the remaining eight hours, Rhodes "lay in a breathless sleep in her seat".
"Although this was extremely traumatizing to the family, they all had time to say what they needed to say to her," her friend continued. "This loss is unimaginable. Helen was a devoted wife and mother. She was the glue that held her family together."
Upon landing in Germany, Rhodes' body remained in Frankfurt as her husband, Simon, and their two children, Nathan and Emma, flew to the UK.
Rhodes' return to the UK should have marked the first time she had seen her family since the pandemic began, but sadly, "she never got to see them again," Jeje wrote.
The mother of two was a midwife, and also ran her own business crafting custom accessories. She was part of a tight-knit group, Tung Chung Mums, where more than 200 women asked her for medical advice.
"Helen always made herself available to help others. She was clever, witty, and generous with her time," her friend said. "We can only hope she knew how much she meant to us."
On the Facebook community page, Andrew Spires, a resident of Tung Chung, described the midwife as "the most caring, generous and thoughtful person", despite only speaking to her from the "school gates".
"Live life to the fullest folks, and hugs the ones you love," Spires added. Many people sent their condolences under the post, with one writing: "If anyone needed a helping hand Helen was always at the front of the queue," while another said: "I worked with Helen in the UK. So sad to hear this news."
The UK Foreign Office spoke of her passing to British publication The Guardian and said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who died on a flight to Frankfurt and are in contact with the local authorities."
Our thoughts go out to Rhodes' family and friends at this time.
