Delta Airlines flight DL-71, en route from Amsterdam to Atlanta, Georgia, had to divert to Shannon Airport earlier today due to a medical emergency on board.
The flight was about three hours into its nine hour transatlantic journey when an 88-year-old passenger took ill. The situation was deemed serious enough to divert the aircraft to Shannon Airport.
The plane, carrying 244 passengers and 12 crew, landed safely and medical personnel quickly boarded the aircraft. The passenger in question was sadly declared dead shortly afterwards, and his body was removed to University Hospital Limerick.
The flight was cancelled and all passengers and crew were accommodated in hotels locally.