Michael Edgeley, 22, from Penwortham, near Preston, was taken ill on the plane in the early hours of yesterday morning and was given emergency oxygen treatment by cabin crew.

Emirates flight EK407, travelling from Melbourne to Dubai, was then forced to make an emergency stop in Mumbai, India so Mr Edgeley could be rushed to hospital.

But he died just minutes later in the back of an ambulance.
The former Hutton Grammar pupil and Preston College student had been in Australia since last year and was based in Melbourne.

But he had been ordered out of the country by the Australian Foreign Office which said he could no longer stay because his visa had run out.

His mother Jean, who lives in Higher Croft in Penwortham, had agreed to meet the cost of his flight home.

She was told the bombshell news of her son's death in a 5.30am phone call yesterday.

A spokesman for Emirates, said: "Emirates flight EK407 from Melbourne to Dubai was diverted to Mumbai due to a medical condition of one of the onboard passengers.

"The passenger was immediately given oxygen by cabin crew, who were assisted by a doctor and nurse who were travelling on the flight.

"On arrival in Mumbai, the passenger was given further medical assistance organised by Emirates' Airport team, however the passenger sadly passed away while being taken to the hospital.

"The cause of death is obviously under investigation and Emirates' condolences are with his family at this sad time."

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We are aware of the death of a British national in Mumbai.

"We are now in contact with the next of kin and are providing consular assistance."

Mr Edgeley had boarded the Melbourne to Dubai flight which left Australia at 10.25pm on Thursday.

He was due to get a connecting flight to Manchester when tragedy struck.

Today, Ian Rawsthorne, assistant headteacher at Hutton Grammar School, said: "Michael is remembered as an amiable member of the school and our thoughts are with his family."

The Evening Post understands Mr Edgeley may already have been ill before he got on the plane.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority, said: "If a passenger has a serious illness, they should contact their airline before they travel.

"Most airlines have a doctor who works for them and he would advise them as to whether he thought they were fit to travel."

Mr Edgeley - writing on an internet networking site last year - said he was "living it up in Melbourne, Australia".

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