MID-AIR TRAGEDY

Plane Passenger Dies on 12-Hour Long Haul Flight

The passenger reportedly became unwell on the flight.

A 51-year-old passenger died aboard a long-haul Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong on Friday, the airline confirmed. Flight CX216 departed Manchester Airport in England on Thursday, and the Boeing 777-300ER landed just before 7 a.m. Friday after 12 hours and 48 minutes in the air, according to FlightAware. At around 6:15 a.m., Hong Kong police received a report that a passenger had lost consciousness on the inbound flight, the Hong Kong Free Press reported. The crew alerted air traffic control, prompting emergency services to prepare on the ground. A Cathay Pacific spokesperson told People the passenger “became unwell during the flight.” “The crew and a doctor on board immediately provided first aid; however the passenger had unfortunately passed away,” the spokesperson said. “An ambulance was called, and paramedics were on board immediately after the aircraft landed at Hong Kong International Airport.” The man, an insurance broker who had immigrated to the U.K., was reportedly traveling with his wife and frequently flew between Hong Kong and the U.K. for medical checkups and business after being diagnosed with cancer last year, HK01 reported. Authorities said an autopsy is underway, and the cause of death has not yet been determined.