Passenger dies on transatlantic flight diverted to Shannon

A passenger has died on board a transatlantic flight that diverted to Shannon Airport this afternoon.

British Airways flight 274 was travelling from Las Vegas in the US to London’s Heathrow airport at the time.

The woman, believed to be in her 60s and travelling on a UK passport, is understood to have suffered a suspected heart attack.

The Boeing 747 jet landed at 2.40pm and was met by ambulance paramedics however the woman had already passed away.

After being formally pronounced dead by a local doctor, the woman’s body was removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post mortem examination is expected to be carried out.

The flight continued its journey at 4.40pm.

A British Airways spokeswoman said: "Our thoughts are with the family.”