United Airlines Flight Diverted After Medical Emergency Prompts Midair Diversion to Chicago
CHICAGO, IL — A United Airlines flight traveling from Newark Liberty International Airport to Denver International Airport was diverted to Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Tuesday evening following an in-flight medical emergency involving a passenger.
According to officials, United Airlines Flight 123, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 150 passengers and 6 crew members, departed Newark at approximately 4:30 PM local time. Approximately one hour into the journey, a passenger experienced a sudden medical episode requiring immediate attention. The flight crew declared a medical emergency and requested a diversion to Chicago O'Hare, which was granted by air traffic control.
The aircraft landed safely at Chicago O'Hare at around 6:15 PM. Emergency medical personnel were on standby to assist the affected passenger, who was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. The passenger's condition remains undisclosed.
Passengers were eventually rebooked onto a later flight to Denver, expected to arrive several hours behind schedule. United Airlines released a statement apologizing for the inconvenience and emphasizing that passenger safety remains their top priority.
The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed the diversion was standard protocol for medical emergencies. No further disruptions to operations were reported.