A Delta Airlines flight from Seattle to Atlanta was rerouted to Spokane International Airport in Washington state shortly after takeoff on Saturday due to a medical emergency that left a 16-year-old male passenger dead, officials said.
Spokane International officials stated that the teenager “regretfully died” shortly after Delta Flight 128 took off, bound for Atlanta. Pilots diverted to Spokane, the closest airport, upon learning of the emergency.
The cause of death was not immediately known. Local authorities and a medical examiner were summoned to the airport, NBC affiliate KHQ reported.
The remaining 258 passengers were removed from the plane and have boarded others, continuing to their destination, officials said.
Delta representatives did not release the name of the teenager and did not say if attempts to revive the boy continued after the plane landed.