Girl dies after Christmas Eve flight diverted to Shannon

The Air Canada flight had to be diverted to Shannon Airport. Credit: PA

A 10-year-old girl has died after falling ill on a Christmas Eve flight from Canada to England which had to be diverted to Shannon Airport in the Republic of Ireland.

The little girl is understood to have been travelling with three adult siblings on the Air Canada flight from Toronto to London Heathrow.

According to the Irish Mirror, the child suffered a cardiac arrest.

A doctor and nurse on board the Boeing 787 helped the crew try to deal with the situation.

The flight was met at Shannon at about 7.40pm by an ambulance and rapid response advanced paramedic unit.

The girl was taken to University Hospital Limerick, where she was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.