An eight-year-old girl from Missouri, Sydney Weston, lost her life following a medical crisis during a SkyWest Airlines flight. The girl was on a journey with her family from Joplin, Missouri to Chicago, Illinois on June 13, 2024, when she became unwell and unresponsive about 45 minutes into the flight, leading to an emergency landing at Peoria International Airport in Illinois.
Once the plane landed, a team of paramedics was waiting and quickly began trying to save the girl’s life. However, Sydney had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. She was transported to a nearby hospital where she was declared dead at 8:05 a.m.
The flight crew’s rapid response was confirmed by Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins. He stated they provided aid as soon as they were made aware of Sydney’s condition. A SkyWest representative expressed gratitude for the crew’s quick actions and 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 was conducted the day after the incident, but the results were inconclusive. There were no signs of foul play, abuse, or neglect. Further tests, including histology, biopsies, cultures, blood hematology, and chemistry, are expected to reveal more information within four to six weeks.
SkyWest Airlines, which operated as United Express on this particular route, expressed their condolences to Sydney’s family and recognized the efforts of the crew and medical personnel. They stated, “Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.”
The young girl was on a vacation with her family when this unexpected tragedy unfolded. The event has left the family and community in deep mourning. Sheriff Watkins requested the community’s support in a Facebook post, asking them to “keep the child’s family and everyone affected by this tragic event in your thoughts and prayers.”
A statement from Sydney’s family, including her brother Evan and parents Whitney and Dan, conveyed their profound grief. “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 during their time of mourning.
This incident has heightened the awareness around the need for efficient medical response during flights. Despite the presence of medical kits on board, addressing severe medical emergencies in the air continues to be a significant challenge. The aviation community is actively exploring methods to improve passenger safety and emergency preparedness.