Andres Castro had been in Bolivia with his family to celebrate his wife’s birthday but he fell ill on the flight destined for the US, and the plane had to make an emergency landing
A dad has died after he had a heart attack mid-air during a flight following a family holiday.
Andres Castro, 39, had celebrated wife Suanny’s birthday in Bolivia but, on the return flight, he suddenly stopped breathing. The pilot made an emergency landing in Colombia where Andres was rushed to hospital, but the tourist was declared dead there on Monday.
His brother Teo Ramirez said: “This is not a grief we ever imagined facing so soon… On their flight back to the US, my brother suddenly stopped breathing. The plane made an emergency landing in Colombia, where we learned he had suffered a heart attack. Despite being rushed to the hospital, it was too late.”
Now, the family has created a GoFundMe page to help raise money to transport the father of one’s body back to Oregon, US, where they live. Around $15,000 (£11,000) has been donated so far, though the family believe at least $25,000 (£19,000) will be required to bring Andres home and have his burial.
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Andres and Suanny had been visited her family in Bolivia before tragedy struck. The holiday marked the wife’s birthday, according to KOIN 6 News. Andres’ sister Tiffany told the digital publication: “We all miss him. We just can’t believe he’s gone… I feel broken, our whole family, it’s hard, trying to keep it together the best that we can. It’s just hard to believe that he’s not here.”
The GoFundMe page also details how Andres and his siblings have been caring for their sick mother since her heart failure in April. Teo continued: “We’re stretched thin and our focus is bringing my brother’s body back to Oregon.”
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Tiffany is leading complex efforts to navigate a way to bring Andres’ body home swiftly. She continued: “It’s a process with the embassy and my family. We’re all just trying to work together to figure it out.” She has urged people to make donations, or at least share the crowdfunding link.
Teo added: “We put our trust in God and know that He will provide a path forward. He always makes a way… From the bottom of our hearts, thank you again for walking alongside us in this difficult journey.”
Yesterday, a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing following an explosion. The Norwegian flight bound for Paris left Stockholm’s Arlanda airport, in Sweden, and was forced to circle the city in preparation for an emergency landing following the blast. Debris was found on the runway as the plane circled the airport yesterday morning.
To donate to the appeal for Andres, click here.