A passenger travelling back to the UK from Tenerife on a Jet2 flight died on board, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Newquay, it has been confirmed.
Jet2 issued an alert three hours into its LS756 flight from Tenerife to Manchester Airport on Sunday night (April 2) after a customer required medical assistance.
Witnesses told the Manchester Evening News there were emotional scenes on board as the passenger, understood to be a woman, fell ill. She received medical assistance from people on board and the aircraft began to descend over the Celtic Sea before landing at Cornwall Airport Newquay.
A passenger said: "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.
"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."
Jet2 said the passenger had passed away and thanked the crew on board as well as customers who helped.
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.”
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