Jetliner captain has heart attack on London flight

A jetliner bound for London was forced to make an emergency landing in Las Vegas when its pilot suffered a heart attack.

The co-pilot took over the controls of American Airlines Flight 136, en route from Los Angeles, and it landed safely at McCarran International Airport earlier today.

The pilot, whose name has not been released, was taken to Desert Springs Hospital, where he is in stable condition.

A doctor and a nurse who were on board the plane offered assistance to the flight crew.

Airport spokeswoman Linda Healey said McCarran officials were notified of the pilot's symptoms shortly after the Boeing 777 took off from Los Angeles International Airport.

When it landed, paramedics rushed to the plane and removed the pilot.

The flight's 214 passengers were taken off the plane after the incident and arrangements have been made for an alternative return flight.