An unfortunate medical incident on a SkyWest Airlines flight resulted in the death of eight-year-old Sydney Weston from Missouri. The girl was on a trip with her family from Joplin, Missouri to Chicago, Illinois on June 13, 2024, when she fell ill about 45 minutes into the flight. The severity of her condition necessitated an emergency landing at Peoria International Airport, Illinois.
Paramedics were waiting at the airport when the plane landed and they immediately started life-saving efforts. Despite their best attempts, Sydney was found to have no pulse and was not breathing. She was rushed to a hospital nearby, where she was pronounced dead at 8:05 a.m.
The Peoria County Sheriff, Chris Watkins, confirmed that the flight crew responded promptly when alerted about Sydney’s deteriorating health. A representative from SkyWest Airlines expressed appreciation for the crew’s quick actions and for the medical team’s efforts, stating, “We are grateful for our crew members’ swift response and the medical team who attended to the situation upon the aircraft’s arrival.”
An autopsy conducted the day after the incident did not reveal the cause of Sydney’s death, showing no signs of abuse, neglect, or foul play. Further tests, including blood hematology, chemistry, biopsies, cultures, and histology, are expected to provide more information in the coming four to six weeks.
Operating as United Express on the route of the incident, SkyWest Airlines expressed their heartfelt condolences to Sydney’s family. They also acknowledged the prompt action of their crew and the medical personnel, stating, “Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.”
The unexpected loss of Sydney Weston, who was on vacation with her family when the tragic event occurred, has left her family in mourning. Sheriff Watkins made a post on Facebook, urging the community to remember the grieving family in their thoughts and prayers.
Whitney and Dan, Sydney’s parents, and her brother Evan, shared their grief in a statement, saying, “We are heartbroken by the immense loss of our beloved daughter.” They described Sydney as a “beam of sunshine with an infectious joy and boundless love for life” and requested privacy as they mourn their loss.
The incident has brought attention to the necessity of effective medical responses during air travel. Even though flights are equipped with medical kits, the challenges of handling severe medical emergencies mid-flight remain substantial. The aviation industry continues to explore methods to improve passenger safety and emergency readiness.
