GB Airways flight BA 6826 operating from Manchester to Cyprus was diverted to Istanbul yesterday (24 February) after the co-pilot was taken ill and died.
First Officer Michael Warren, 43, was administered first aid during the journey by the purser, while the Captain diverted the aircraft. On arrival in Turkey paramedics attended Mr Warren immediately, but he was pronounced dead.
A statement from the carrier ” a franchise operator of British Airways - said: ”All our thoughts and condolences are with Michael”s wife and family following this tragic news.
”Michael joined GB Airways in August 2005 having previously flown with the RAF. He was married with two children aged five and eight.”
He was from Ormskirk, in Lancashire. The cause of death is not yet known.
The flight ” with 156 passengers and six crew ” left Manchester heading for Paphos at 14:20 on Sunday, and landed in Istanbul at 19:45 local time, when the Captain advised passengers of a medical emergency on the flight deck.
The statement continued: ”At no time were the aircraft, passengers or crew in any danger. Passengers have spent the night in a hotel and we plan to operate to Paphos with a replacement crew later today.”