A person died Tuesday aboard an Air France flight from Paris to Boston, the Massachusetts State Police confirmed to USA TODAY.
Calling the incident “an unattended death” aboard the flight, state police said someone called the agency’s Crime Scene Services Section about the death. The Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit responded as well.
Police did not answer questions about whether the individual was a passenger or a member of the crew, nor did they say exactly when the person died.
Police haven’t released the individual’s identity and said they will do so once their loved ones have been notified.
State police said they are still investigating.
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How common are medical emergencies on flights? How are they handled?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medical emergencies occur on about 1 of every 604 flights. The most common emergencies include fainting, respiratory issues, nausea and vomiting. During 90% of these emergencies, aircrafts continue traveling to their destinations.
For the remaining 10% of medical emergencies, planes divert or land elsewhere. Diversions normally occur during serious medical issues such as cardiac arrest, chest pain, obstetric or gynecologic issues or possible strokes.
Still, despite how frequently medical emergencies occur, the death rate is about 0.3%, the CDC said, adding that medical kits normally include medications such as antihistamine, epinephrine, and lidocaine.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Person dies on an Air France flight from Paris to Boston: Police