Police investigate ‘sudden death’ of woman on 17-hour Qantas flight
The passenger died during an overnight flight to Auckland
Koichiko
Police are investigating the “sudden death” of a woman during an overnight Qantas flight from the US to New Zealand.
The air passenger passed away on the first leg of flight QF4 – a 17-hour journey from New York’s JFK to Sydney via Auckland– on Monday evening.
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Auckland police said that officers had attended a “sudden death, which occurred on an inbound Qantas flight from New York to Auckland overnight”, reported New Zealand news outlet Stuff.
They added that inquiries are being made into the woman’s death on behalf of the coroner.
Emergency services met the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on arrival in New Zealand.
A Qantas spokesperson said: “Medical assistance was provided to a passenger onboard QF4 on Monday by crew and doctors onboard.
“Our thoughts are with the passenger’s family and loved ones.”
The Independent has contacted Auckland Airport for comment.
Last month, passengers travelling on a 14-hour British Airways flight to London complained of a “foul smell” after a woman passed away on board.
A woman in her 60s died shortly after take off on a flight from Hong Kong to London Heathrow on 15 March.
Following the decision to store the body in a heated galley towards the rear of the plane, passengers claimed they could smell a bad odour.
A source told The Sun that the family and several crew members were “distraught” following the incident.
They added: “A discussion was had about what to do with the body, with the flight deck’s request to lock it in a toilet rejected by crew.
A British Airways spokesperson said: “A customer sadly passed away on board, and our thoughts are with their family and friends at this difficult time.
“We are supporting our crew, and all procedures were correctly followed.”
Read more: British Airways passengers complain of ‘foul smell’ from dead body on 14-hour flight
