A US-bound passenger jet has diverted to Shannon Airport after the crew declared a medical emergency over the North Atlantic this afternoon.
United Airlines flight UA-135 was travelling from Zurich in Switzerland to Newark in the US state of New Jersey at the time.
The Boeing 767-322(ER) jet was about 400 kilometres northwest of Ireland when the crew declared a medical emergency. The flight was about two and a half hours into its journey when the crew turned around.
The flight crew advised air traffic controllers of their situation and requested clearance to divert to Shannon.
Authorities at Shannon Airport were advised of the unscheduled arrival while the National Ambulance Service was also contacted and requested to dispatch resources to the airport.
Shannon Airport’s fire and rescue service was alerted and requested to mobilise to holding positions ahead of the aircraft’s arrival. This is standard procedure for an aircraft that has dumped aviation fuel or is expected to make an overweight landing.
The flight landed safely shortly before 2.00pm and taxied to the terminal where airport staff and ambulance paramedics were waiting.
The passenger was removed to hospital for treatment while the aircraft is due to resume its journey later this afternoon.
