Autopsy for girl, 8, who died after passing out on SkyWest plane comes back inconclusive: Youngster was going on vacation with parents and brother
The preliminary autopsy on an eight-year-old girl who died after a medical emergency aboard a commercial flight was inconclusive, officials said.
Elementary school star Sydney Weston was en route to Chicago with her family when she became ill and then became unresponsive after taking off from Joplin, Missouri, on SkyWest Flight 5121 on Thursday.
The flight was diverted to Peoria, Illinois about 45 minutes after takeoff and forced to make an emergency landing.
First responders met the child at General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport after the plane landed, but the girl was not breathing and had no pulse, the coroner’s office said.
Sydney was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 8am despite ‘aggressive resuscitation efforts’.
Her maternal grandmother, Teri Carlson, posted a tribute on Facebook, where people left their condolences
Officials said the girl, identified as Sydney Weston, became ill and then became unresponsive and the flight was forced to make an emergency landing.
The Peoria County coroner’s office said Friday that several investigations are pending to determine the cause of death.
Furthermore, the officials ruled out any foul play, abuse or neglect.
“We will await histology, biopsies, cultures, blood hematology and chemistry, and toxicology testing,” the coroner said.
‘The results of these tests usually take four to six weeks. Once we complete those tests, we hope we can determine a definitive and exact cause of death for this little girl and provide her family with answers.”
Sydney, from Carl Junction, Missouri, was traveling with her parents Whitney and Dan and her older brother Evan
Sydney was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead just after 8am despite ‘aggressive resuscitation efforts’
Sydney, from Carl Junction, Missouri, was traveling with her parents Whitney and Dan and her older brother Evan.
The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office said, “When the aircraft landed, officers, AMT personnel and Air National Guard fire personnel immediately received the 8-year-old female child and initiated lifesaving measures.
“The child was transported by AMT to a local hospital where she was sadly pronounced deceased.
“Please keep the child’s family and everyone involved in this traumatic experience in your thoughts and prayers.”
The flight was operated by SkyWest, which operates through partnerships with United, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
A SkyWest spokesperson said: ‘We appreciate the efforts of our crew members who responded quickly to assist and the medical personnel who encountered the aircraft.’
“Her family immediately informed flight crews of her condition, and they quickly began rendering aid,” the coroner said
First responders met the child at General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport after the plane landed, but the girl was not breathing and had no pulse
Flight 5121 departed again for Chicago before 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Her maternal grandmother, Teri Carlson, posted a tribute on Facebook, where people left their condolences.
One person said: ‘She was such a sweetheart… it’s just not real yet. I don’t know if that will ever be the case. My Love and Hugs are with you all.”
Another person added: ‘What a beautiful light. My heart is so broken for you and her family.”