Woman Dies In Front Of Her Children, Husband During Flight To UK

A woman reportedly died in front of her two children and husband while she was traveling on a flight from Hong Kong to the U.K. on Friday, Aug. 5.

Helen Rhodes, who was flying back from Hong Kong to the U.K. with her two children and husband after spending more than 15 years abroad, reportedly fell unresponsive a few hours into the flight on Aug. 5. Despite all efforts onboard, Rhodes was not able to be resuscitated and died in front of her family in her sleep, New York Post reported.

Rhodes lay in a breathless sleep in her seat for the remaining eight hours of the flight. The plane subsequently stopped in Germany where Rhodes’ body was left in Frankfurt. Meanwhile, her husband, Simon, and young kids, Nathan and Emma, who were all “devastated” by the “unimaginable” loss, had to travel the rest of the way to the U.K. without her.

“We are still in disbelief and shock about the sudden passing of our dearest friend whose life has touched many people in Hong Kong and the U.K.,” Rhodes' friend Jayne Jeje wrote on a GoFundMe post.

“This loss is unimaginable. Helen was a devoted wife and mother. She was the glue that held her family together,” Jeje wrote.

Rhodes reportedly lived in Hong Kong for the last 15 years. However, recently, Rhodes and her family were planning on moving back to the U.K. to start a “new chapter,” the Guardian reported.

“Helen was excited and nervous about the move, but looked forward to seeing her family back home, as she had not seen her family or ageing parents since the pandemic began,” Jeje wrote. “Sadly, she never got to see them again.”

Rhodes was a midwife by profession and also ran her own business crafting bespoke accessories. Rhodes also belonged to a tight-knit group, Tung Chung Mums, where more than 200 women turned to her for medical advice.

“Helen always made herself available to help others. She was clever, witty, and generous with her time,” wrote Jeje. “We can only hope she knew how much she meant to us.”

The GoFundMe page has raised more than US$21,000 as of Monday, Aug. 8. The money raised will reportedly go toward Rhodes' funeral costs and additional support for her family.