Flight makes emergency landing at Indore airport after toddler falls sick; dies of suspected aspiration

INDORE: A one-year-old boy died on Tuesday evening after suffering a severe medical crisis aboard a Bengaluru-bound Air India Express flight from Jaipur, which made an emergency landing at Indore airport, police and medical officials said. The child, identified as Mohammad Ajlan, travelled with his parents and elder brother when he suddenly began struggling to breathe mid-flight. As the child's condition worsened, raising a "mid-air crisis", the crew made an emergency announcement seeking medical help. A doctor travelling on the flight immediately stepped forward to assist. The doctor performed continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the aircraft cabin while the pilot coordinated with air traffic control (ATC) for an emergency diversion to Indore. The aircraft landed at Indore airport at approximately 7:50 pm, where a medical emergency was already declared on the tarmac. Airport doctors met the aircraft upon landing, continued CPR, and rushed the child to a nearby hospital in a standby ambulance. From the initial medical facility, the infant was referred to Dolphin Hospital for specialised treatment. However, doctors at the hospital declared the child dead on arrival. "It is suspected that the child's condition deteriorated because of aspiration (as milk or liquid entered his respiratory tract), causing a fatal obstruction," a medical official stated.