Holiday Jet Hit By Pilot Death

A HOLIDAY flight from Manchester had to divert to Istanbul after the co-pilot died during the journey to Cyprus.

The captain of the GB Airways Airbus A320, with 156 passengers aboard, landed safely at Istanbul at about 5.45pm yesterday.

The flight left Manchester at 2.20pm bound for Paphos in Cyprus. Passengers were put up in Istanbul last night and the airline was making arrangements today to get them to Cyprus.

The airline said today: “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.

“On landing, it was confirmed that the first officer, the co- pilot, had died during the flight. At no time was the aircraft, passengers or crew in any danger.

“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.”

(c) 2008 Evening Mail; Birmingham (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.