Woman Dies After Getting Ill on American Airlines Flight From Punta Cana

A 41-year-old female passenger suddenly fell ill on an American Airlines flight from Punta Cana (PUJ) to Charlotte (CLT). The aircraft made an emergency landing in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (PLS) on February 28.

The Medical Emergency

A relative identified the woman as a mother of two from Indiana. She was heading to Charlotte on American Airlines flight AA 2790, departing from Punta Cana at 6:10 p.m. local time. However, the passenger suddenly fell ill during the flight. The cabin crew performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as the Boeing 737-800 diverted to Providenciales for an emergency landing. Despite the quick response and efforts of the flight crew for the unforeseen medical emergency, the landing was required so that further medical treatment could be provided. 

The plane landed in Providenciales at approximately 6:18 p.m. local time. Before the landing, the police received an emergency landing call at 6:12 p.m. and dispatched a medical team. Although the passenger was taken to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, she was pronounced dead despite all attempts to save her life.

In a press statement, the police said: 

"A medical team, along with police units, were dispatched, and the patient was transported to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where she died. A post-mortem will be conducted to ascertain the cause of death." 

A post-mortem examination is important to investigate and understand the circumstances that led to the passenger's illness, followed by the unfortunate event of her death. 

An American Airlines spokesperson said: 

"On Feb. 28, American Airlines flight 2790 with service from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) to Charlotte (CLT) diverted to Providenciales International Airport (PLS) for the medical needs of a passenger. First responders met the aircraft and one passenger was taken to the local hospital. The flight continued to CLT the following day."

The sister-in-law of the 41-year-old woman has stated that their "hearts were broken" because of the loss of their relative on the social media platform Facebook under the announcement post of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force official account.