Passenger dies on Calgary-bound KLM flight

A disturbing incident took place on board a KLM flight that landed in Calgary Thursday afternoon.

The Netherlands-based airline confirmed to Global News that a passenger on board the plane died en route from Amsterdam to Calgary.

EMS said paramedics were called to the airport at around 1 p.m. MT for reports of a male passenger who was believed to be in some form of medical distress.

By the time the flight landed, the man had already passed away.

READ MORE: What happens when a passenger dies on a flight

The investigation was turned over to the Alberta Medical Examiner’s office, which will work to determine the exact cause of death.

EMS said there did not appear to be anything suspicious.

EMS spokesperson Adam Loria said it is not unusual for paramedics to be called to the airport for reports of a person on board a Calgary-bound flight to be having medical issues, but incidents in which the person dies on board the aircraft are rare.

Loria said paramedics are also prepared to offer assistance to other people on the aircraft who may be traumatized or affected by the death, but in this case no other passengers required help.

While KLM declined to comment further on the incident, both Air Canada and Westjet told Global News their airline crews are highly trained to deal with medical emergencies.

“Our crews are trained in first aid and have air-to-ground communications linking them directly to medical staff who will help determine the right care,” Air Canada spokesperson Angela Mah said.

Westjet spokesperson, Robert Palmer, said a guest who dies in their sleep in their seat is obviously very different from one who falls ill and requires medical attention on board the aircraft.

“In the case of a guest passing away, we would probably not divert but continue on to the destination, especially if we learn that the guest is on his or her way home where other family members will be,” Palmer said.

“Depending on the situation, we would either move the deceased guest to the rear galley and close the curtains, or if there is space, move guests to other seats away from the deceased guest.”

In the case of a serious medical emergency, Palmer says the flight crew would consult with MedLink, a global medical consultation service used by airlines around the world, and would normally divert the aircraft to the nearest city so the guest could receive advanced medical assistance at a hospital.

Palmer says while every situation is different, such incidents can often be extremely upsetting to other people on board the flight.