A United flight was forced to make an emergency landing after the pilot suffered a fatal heart attack mid-flight, while bound for Seattle, Washington on Thursday.
The plane was traveling from Houston, Texas to Seattle and had to make an emergency landing in Boise, Idaho.
The incident took place on Thursday evening after the captain of flight 1603 experienced the medical emergency. Crew members reportedly made an announcement over the intercom asking if there were any doctors on board. Two people responded.
According to ABC News , Patti Miller, spokeswoman for the Boise Airport confirmed that the flight made an emergency landing at the Boise airport after the pilot had a medical emergency form an apparent heart attack.
There are some conflicting reports as to who exactly had the emergency, according to Fox News, United Airlines is stating that it was actually one of the Boeing 737’s crew members who had the problem.
The United flight was met in the runway by ambulances and medical personnel after a call was put through from the cockpit.
“We got a man down, chest compressions going on right now. I’m not sure too much right now the status,” A United crew member said in a recorded conversation with air traffic controllers. “Can an ambulance and maybe some air stairs meet us on the runway?”
United Airlines statement said, “The Boeing 737 landed safely, and paramedics met the plane upon arrival and transported the crew member to the hospital,”
The airline would not comment on the pilot’s condition, but a spokesperson for the hospital told ABC that the individual had passed away. The name has not been released.
There were 161 passengers and six crew members on board Flight 1603. No injuries were reported and the stranded passengers were put on a United flight to Seattle around midnight on Thursday.