Woman dies on flight from Chicago to Mexico after falling ill mid-air

A woman on a flight bound for Mexico from Chicago died before the plane could land and emergency personnel could give her medical attention on the ground.

ABC7 reported the incident happened on Saturday, May 9, on Volaris flight 7771, which took off from Chicago Midway International Airport heading to Michoacán, Mexico. Per FlightRadar, the plane was scheduled to land at General Francisco Mujica International Airport.

The airline told the media that the emergency took place just as the aircraft entered Mexican territory. Passengers alerted the flight crew about the woman's condition, and in turn, the crew notified the pilot, who sought permission to make an emergency landing at Monterrey International Airport. 

The passenger was identified as a 72-year-old native of Morelia, Michoacán. She was traveling with her husband and other family members. Reports say the woman had been living with kidney failure and diabetes for the past 12 years. 

As the plane made its unscheduled landing, medical and security personnel were on-site and ready to extend help. However, the woman had already died. She was pronounced dead moments after landing. The cause of her death is yet to be disclosed.

The other passengers were transferred to another aircraft, which brought them without further incident to their final destination.