Woman dies on transatlantic flight from Heathrow to Newark

The woman, believed to be from Newark, USA, was travelling alone aboard the United Airlines flight from London Heathrow.

She was found unconscious soon after take-off as the plane was mid-air, it is believed.

Despite the efforts of a doctor on the plane, the female traveller – who has not been named – died one hour before Flight 115 touched down in New Jersey.

The woman is believed to have suffered with a pre-existing medical problem, Port Authority spokesman Joe Pentangelo confirmed in an email.

But sources close to the matter have confirmed that the female passenger's condition was not contagious and has not put other passengers on the flight at risk.

A medical examiner arrived with police as the United plane landed at 2:50am GMT last night at Newark Airport, New Jersey, to make the pronouncement.

Preliminary examinations seems to indicate that the female passenger is understood to have "passed away from natural causes", said a Port Authority spokesperson.

Authorities are currently awaiting the results of an autopsy which they hope will uncover the cause of death.

United Airlines spokesperson Mary Ryan said: "United confirms that a passenger passed away on flight UA115 from London Heathrow to New York/Newark on December 1 2014.

"We offer our condolences to the passenger’s family.

"For privacy reasons, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further.
"