American passenger dies on plane diverted to Gander

An international flight made an emergency landing in Gander early Wednesday morning due to a medical emergency, in which one passenger died.

American Airlines Flight 700 travelling from Philadelphia to Frankfurt, Germany, landed at Gander International Airport around 3:45 a.m. NT.

RCMP boarded the plane to assist the passenger. However, the passenger had already died.

Police said the 54-year-old American had a pre-existing medical condition. 

The flight was cancelled and passengers stayed at a local hotel overnight until a new plane arrived to finish the last leg of their trip to Frankfurt. 

The cause of death is unknown. RCMP Cpl. Pam Blackwood said foul play is not suspected.