United Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Pilot Suffers Fatal Heart Attack

A United Airlines flight from Houston to Seattle was diverted to Boise last night after the pilot suffered a fatal heart attack.

According to KOMO News, the plane was several hours into the flight when a crew member came on the public address system to ask if there was a physician on the plane.

One witness said that a female passenger, a first-year resident doctor, volunteered to perform CPR. The pilot had to be moved out of the cockpit and into the first class section of seats in order for her to have enough room.

“We got a man down, chest compressions going on right now,” a crew member reportedly told air traffic control. “I’m not sure too much right now.”

The pilot was still alive when the plane landed safely in Boise, but was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

“I am sad to confirm that our co-worker passed away last night,” a rep for the airlines confirmed to KOMO. “Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

The passengers ultimately arrived in Seattle about four hours later than they had originally been scheduled to land.

“I’m really impressed with all the flight attendants,” one passenger told KOMO. “They kept themselves calm. They kept it professional. There was no panic on the plane.”

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