A holiday flight from Manchester to Cyprus was forced to divert to Turkey after the co-pilot collapsed and died during the journey.
A flight from Manchester to Cyprus was forced to divert to Turkey after the co-pilot died during the journey.
The GB Airways Airbus A320, with 156 passengers on board, was diverted from Paphos to Istanbul on Sunday afternoon.
First Officer Michael Warren, 43, was taken ill during a GB Airways flight to Paphos on Sunday afternoon.
Passengers spent the night in Istanbul and are to be flown to Cyprus later.
The Airbus A320, with 156 passengers on board, was re-routed to Istanbul where travellers spent the night.
A spokeswoman for GB Airways, which is a franchise partner of British Airways, said that at no time were the plane, passengers or crew in any danger.
A spokeswoman for GB Airways, which is a franchise partner of British Airways, said that at no time were the passengers and crew in any danger.
The spokeswoman 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.
Mr Warren, a father-two, was given first aid by the aeroplane's purser, but was pronounced dead by the Turkish authorities on arrival in Istanbul.
'Tragic news'
The spokeswoman said: "The flight, with 156 passengers and six crew members, left Manchester on time at 1420 on Sunday, 24th February.
Our thoughts and condolences are with the first officer's wife and family GB Airways
Our thoughts and condolences are with the first officer's wife and family GB Airways
"The flight, with 156 passengers and six crew members, left Manchester on time at 1420 on Sunday, 24th February."
"Michael 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.
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."
"Paramedics attended the aircraft immediately. Sadly, Michael was pronounced dead by the Turkish authorities.
On arrival in Istanbul, passengers were told there was a medical emergency on the flight deck and paramedics were called.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife and family following this tragic news."
The first officer, who has not been named, was pronounced dead by the Turkish authorities in Turkey.
Mr Warren, a former RAF pilot, joined GB Airways in August 2005.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with the first officer's wife and family following this tragic news," the spokeswoman said.
Passengers were told of a medical emergency on the flight deck upon touch down in Istanbul and spent the night in the city.
They are expected to be flown to Cyprus later.
Were you a passenger on the plane? Do you know anyone who was? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below.
Were you a passenger on the plane? Do you know anyone who was? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below.
