10-year-old girl from West Vancouver dies aboard flight: Los Angeles coroner

A 10-year-old girl from British Columbia has died after suffering a medical emergency aboard a flight in the United States.

The Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner has identified the girl as Janice Xu of West Vancouver.

The coroner said she died Thursday evening. Xu was flying from Los Angeles to Seattle with Delta Air Lines.

The coroner said an investigation is underway to confirm the cause of her death.

Ian Gregor, a spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration, said in a statement that Delta Air Lines Flight 2423 returned to the Los Angeles airport after departing for Seattle because of a medical emergency.

In a written report, the Los Angeles Fire Department said that paramedics responded to the airport just before 6 p.m. PT on Boxing Day.

"Paramedics responded to a medical aid for a minor female child and furiously worked to save her life. Sadly, all efforts were futile and the child was beyond medical help,'' the report said.

Her death was determined on scene, it said. The report is titled "cardiac arrest,'' however it said the police department will handle the death investigation and the coroner will determine the cause of death.

The police department deferred questions to the coroner.

In a written statement, Global Affairs Canada said "our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the young Canadian citizen who died on a flight home from Los Angeles International airport this week."

"Consular officials are providing assistance to the family during this very difficult time."