Hawaiian Airlines identified the attendant who died of heart attack during a flight Thursday as a longtime employee. Emile Griffith, who worked for Hawaiian Airlines for more than 31 years, died on the flight, the company said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Emile Griffith, a member of our flight attendant ‘ohana for over 31 years who passed away while working on our flight between Honolulu and New York last night,” the airlines said in a statement. “We are forever grateful for Emile’s colleagues and good Samaritans on board who stayed by his side and provided extensive medical help." HAWAIIAN AIRLINES FLIGHT DIVERTED AFTER FLIGHT ATTENDANT DIES Hawaiian Airlines Flight 50 was traveling from Honolulu to New York City when it was diverted to San Francisco Thursday night after a flight crew member suffered “a suspected heart attack,” Doug Yakel, a San Francisco airport spokesman, said. Medical personnel attempted CPR during the flight but suspended these efforts prior to landing, Yakel said. Sources told Hawaii News Now that crew members performed CPR for hours. Yakel said the passengers were put on other flights. The flight was carrying 253 passengers and 12 crewmembers. PILOT RESCUED OFF HONOLULU, HOSPITALIZED AFTER PLANE CRASHES DURING MILITARY EXERCISE “Emile both loved and treasured his job at Hawaiian and always shared that with our guests. Our hearts are with Emile’s family, friends and those fortunate to have known him,” the statement concluded. CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP The Associated Press contributed to this report.<doc-sep>Emile Griffith, a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant, died Thursday night during his shift, according to reports. Flight 50, bound for New York City, made an emergency landing in San Francisco. Griffith died as a result of what was described as a medical emergency. A Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant died Thursday night on a flight bound for New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to a Hawaiian Airlines statement. Emile Griffith, the attendant, had worked with Hawaiian Airlines for 31 years. Ann Botticelli, a representative of Hawaiian Airlines, said the airline was "deeply saddened" by Griffith's passing. "Emile both loved and treasured his job at Hawaiian and always shared that with our guests. Our hearts are with Emile's family, friends and all those fortunate to have known him," Botticelli wrote Business Insider. Hawaiian Airlines Flight 50 left Honolulu about 4:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, according to the airline. The plane landed about five hours later at 11:05 p.m. local time. Hawaii News Now reported that Griffith had suffered a "medical emergency." The outlet also reported that a doctor and paramedic on the flight assisted. "We are forever grateful for Emile's colleagues and good Samaritans on board who stayed by his side and provided extensive medical help," Botticelli said. One passenger told Hawaii News Now that Hawaiian Airlines did not inform passengers of the death until after they had made the emergency landing in San Francisco. After that, passengers waited for about two hours for the coroner to arrive. There were 253 passengers and 12 crew members on board. A passenger said on Twitter that Hawaiian Airlines paid for passengers to stay in a hotel as they arranged for a new flight for the passengers. All passengers were to be reaccomodated on the first available flights and would receive compensation, Botticelli added.<doc-sep>'Whoever Is Watching This, They're Going To Get A Thrill': Willy T. Ribbs, Paul Tracy, Ernie Francis Jr. Discuss Superstar Racing ExperienceThe Superstar Racing Experience inaugural season begins on June 12 at Stafford Speedway. 'Rugrats' Voice Actors E.G. Daily And Cheryl Chase Call New Animation Style 'Brilliant': 'Every Time They Would Show Us We Would Just Gasp''In the words of Chuckie Finster, "Looks like a giant step to me" as the 90's classic Rugrats returns with all-new episodes and a slick modern animation style on Paramount+. WATCH: Caroline D'Amore Discusses 'Surreal' MTV's 'The Hills: New Beginnings' Experience & Pizza Girl BusinessThe Los Angeles native discusses what it was like to join the cast of "The Hills: New Beginnings" and her new line of sauce. SEC Football: CBS Sports Announces 2021 Schedule Including Alabama At Florida On September 18The SEC on CBS kicks off on September 18 with an SEC Championship game rematch between the Crimson Tide and Gators. Mayweather Vs. Paul: Showtime Sports Announces Broadcast Team For June 6 EventThe network announced its plans for the broadcast of the pay-per-view exhibition bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Logan Paul. The 74th Annual 'Tony Awards' And 'The Tony Awards Present: Broadway's Back!' Come To CBS September 26thCBS and Tony Award Productions will celebrate Broadway’s highly anticipated return to live theatre with a multiplatform event The Tony Awards Present: Broadway's Back! Sunday, September 26th (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) broadcasting on CBS and available to stream live and on demand with Paramount+ or the CBS app.<doc-sep>
A flight attendant died of an apparent heart attack during a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu to New York Thursday. The flight was diverted to San Francisco's airport. Hawaiian Airlines confirmed the death Friday, saying it was "deeply saddened" over the loss of veteran crew member Emile Griffith in a statement to USA TODAY. "We are forever grateful for Emile’s colleagues and good Samaritans on board who stayed by his side and provided extensive medical help," the statement said. "Emile both loved and treasured his job at Hawaiian and always shared that with our guests. Our hearts are with Emile’s family, friends and all those fortunate to have known him." Hawaiian Airlines Flight 50 landed in San Francisco Thursday night after a crew member had "a suspected heart attack," airport spokesman Doug Yakel told the AP. Medical personnel attempted CPR during the flight but suspended those efforts prior to landing. The San Mateo County coroner declared the crew member dead on arrival, Yakel said. Hawaiian Airlines has made counseling available for Griffith's fellow employees. The airline said all passengers were re-accommodated on the first available flights and will be provided compensation. Andrea Bartz, who was on the flight to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport, said on Twitter that the crew made an announcement asking for a doctor to go to first class to help with a medical emergency. Bartz tweeted that "so many doctors came forward" and that police officers came on board after the plane landed. Bartz declined to be interviewed. But she and another passenger complained on Twitter that the airline played ukulele music during the emergency. "Hawaiian Airlines is still playing the ukulele/traditional singing soundtrack meant for boarding and deplaning, and I'll tell ya, it's not making anyone calmer," she tweeted. A tribute to Griffith has been set up in the Hawaiian Airlines in-flight crew lounge at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Contributing: Dawn Gilbertson and The Associated Press