A holiday flight from Manchester to Cyprus was forced to divert to Turkey after the co-pilot collapsed and died during the journey.
A holiday flight from Manchester to Cyprus was forced to divert to Turkey after the co-pilot collapsed and died during the journey.
The GB Airways Airbus A320, with 156 passengers on board, was bound for Paphos but diverted to Istanbul on Sunday afternoon.
The GB Airways Airbus A320, with 156 passengers on board, was bound for Paphos but diverted to Istanbul on Sunday afternoon.
Passengers spent the night in Istanbul and are to be flown to Cyprus later.
Passengers spent the night in Istanbul and are to be flown to Cyprus later.
An airline spokeswoman said that at no time were the plane, passengers or crew in any danger.
An GB Airways spokeswoman said that at no time were the plane, passengers or crew in any danger.
"GB Airways confirms that yesterday's flight BA 6826 from Manchester to Paphos diverted to Istanbul due to a medical emergency on the flight deck," the spokeswoman said.
The spokesman said: "It is with deep regret that GB Airways can confirm that the First Officer on flight BA 6826 from Manchester to Paphos, Cyprus died during the flight.
"On landing, it was confirmed that the first officer (co-pilot) had died during the flight.
Our thoughts and condolences are with the first officer's wife and family GB Airways
"The first officer's next of kin have been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with his wife and family following this tragic news."
"The flight, with 156 passengers and six crew members, left Manchester on time at 1420 on Sunday, 24th February."
She added: "The first officer became ill during the flight. The purser administered first aid while the captain diverted the aircraft to Istanbul, where it landed at 1945 local time."
On arrival in Istanbul, passengers were told there was a medical emergency on the flight deck and paramedics were called.
The first officer, who has not been named, was pronounced dead by the Turkish authorities in Turkey.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with the first officer's wife and family following this tragic news," the spokeswoman said.
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