An eight-year-old girl from Missouri died following a medical emergency on a SkyWest Airlines flight. Sydney Weston was traveling with her family from Joplin, Missouri to Chicago, Illinois on Thursday, June 13, 2024, when she became ill and unresponsive about 45 minutes into the flight. This prompted an emergency landing at Peoria International Airport in Illinois.
Upon landing, paramedics met the plane and immediately began life-saving measures. However, Sydney had no pulse and was not breathing. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was declared dead at 8:05 a.m.
Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins confirmed that the flight crew acted swiftly, providing aid as soon as the family alerted them to Sydney’s condition. A SkyWest representative expressed gratitude for the crew’s swift actions and the medical team’s attendance, saying, “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 on Friday was inconclusive, with no signs of foul play, abuse, or neglect. Additional tests, including histology, biopsies, cultures, blood hematology, and chemistry, are expected to provide more information within four to six weeks.
SkyWest Airlines, operating as United Express on this route, expressed condolences to Sydney’s family and acknowledged the efforts of the crew and medical personnel. They stated, “Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.”
Sydney Weston was traveling with her family on vacation when this unexpected tragedy occurred, leaving her family and the community grieving. Sheriff Watkins shared a post on Facebook, requesting the community to “keep the child’s family and everyone affected by this tragic event in your thoughts and prayers.”
Sydney’s brother Evan and parents Whitney and Dan conveyed their deep sorrow in a statement, saying, “We are heartbroken by the immense loss of our beloved daughter.” They characterized Sydney as a “beam of sunshine with an infectious joy and boundless love for life” and asked for privacy during their time of mourning.
The incident has raised awareness of the critical need for effective medical response on flights. Despite carrying medical kits, the challenges of addressing severe medical emergencies in mid-air remain significant. The aviation community continues to explore ways to enhance passenger safety and emergency preparedness.
