United Flight Diverted after Pilot Suffers heart Attack

According to a story in USA Today's Ben Mutzabaugh

A United Airlines pilot who had a heart attack mid-flight has died, an Idaho hospital tells The Associated Press.

That came after the pilot's heart attack prompted Seattle-bound United Flight 1603 to divert and make a emergency landing in Boise. The Boeing 737-900 landed safely there after originating from Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport, according to United.

Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Jennifer Krajnik told AP on Friday that the man died overnight at the hospital.

"I am sad to confirm that our co-worker passed away last night. Our thoughts are with his family at this time," United spokeswoman Christen David says in a statement. The carrier declined to give his name because of privacy reasons.

Boise Airport spokeswoman Patti Miller tells ABC News it was the captain of the flight who experienced an apparent heart attack.

Seattle TV station KOMO reports a Flight 1603 passenger says a crew member made an in-flight announcement prior to the emergency landing asking if anyone on the plane was a physician.

The United crew's communication with air traffic control indicated the seriousness of the situation.

"We got a man down, chest compressions going on right now. I'm not sure too much right now the status," a United crew member says in a recorded conversation with air traffic control quoted by KOMO. "Can an ambulance and maybe some air stairs meet us on the runway?"

Flight 1603 was carrying 161 passengers and landed in Boise at 8:11 p.m. local time. The passengers continued on to Seattle after waiting in the Boise Terminal while another pilot was flown in from San Francisco, CNN reports.