An eight-year-old girl has tragically died after suffering a medical emergency on a commercial flight.
The young girl, identified as Sydney Weston by officials, was on SkyWest Flight 5121, which departed from Joplin, Missouri, on Thursday (June 13) at 6AM and was headed to Chicago.
Weston, who was flying with her family, suddenly became ill and unresponsive, which forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing at General Wayne A Downing Peoria International Airport at 7.02AM, as reported by The Independent.
"Her family immediately notified the flight personnel of her condition, and they began rapidly rendering aid," the coroner said, per Daily Mail.
The little girl, from Carl Junction, Missouri, was traveling with her parents Whitney and Dan, and her older brother Evan.
Emergency services began performing “life-saving measures" after the plane touched down in Peoria, according to a statement from the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Weston was then transferred from the airport to OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center seven miles away.
Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead at 8:05AM despite "aggressive resuscitative efforts".
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"Please keep the child's family and everyone who was involved in this traumatic experience in your thoughts and prayers," the Sheriff’s Office added.
United Flight 5121 was chartered by United Airlines, who contracted SkyWest, according to data from FlightAware.
“We appreciate the efforts of our crewmembers who responded quickly to assist and the medical personnel who met the aircraft,” a spokesperson for the aircraft told the New York Post.
The eight-year-old's autopsy has been scheduled for Friday and preliminary findings will be disclosed upon completion.
Her grandmother Teri Carlson shared a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook, where people have been leaving their condolences.
One person penned: "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 user added: "I’m so very sorry. My heart goes out to all of you. My family will be keeping all of yours in our prayers. Love and hugs."
Our thoughts are with Weston's family and friends at this time.
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