Flight attendant collapses and dies in front of passengers after 'feeling unwell'

A flight attendant has passed away after collapsing as passengers were boarding the aircraft.

On Saturday (September 14), Gabriella Cario boarded ITA Airways flight 1156 at Reggio Calabria Airport, south east of Naples bound for Rome Fiumicino Airport in southern Italy.

The 57-year-old mom-of-three was an ITA Airways flight attendant who worked out of Rome on domestic and international flights, but she was on the plane over the weekend as a passenger.

It's reported she was feeling unwell as she waited at the boarding gate and devastatingly, her health rapidly deteriorated once on the plane.

Gabriella Cario has sadly passed away at the age of 57 (Jam Press)

It's reported Gabriella didn't seek medical help when she began feeling poorly while waiting at the gate as she was determined to return home to her husband and their three sons.

The mom collapsed once onboard in front of other passengers on the aircraft and paramedics were rushed onto the plane, with all other passengers were evacuated.

Sadly, Gabriella is said to have passed away within minutes.

Gabriella has a husband and three sons (Jam Press)

Gabriella's cause of death has yet to be publicly released, reported by some outlets as being caused by a 'sudden illness'.

The ITA Airways flight 1156 was postponed to later in the evening and other flights were also delayed as a result.

The flight attendant's funeral is reported as taking place today (September 17) at Santissima Annunziata Parish in Sabaudia, Il Mattino reports.

Mayor of her home in Sabaudia, near Latina, Alberto Mosca addressed the mom's shock passing.

He said in a statement: "I knew Gabriella. She was a bright, always-smiling, and kind woman. On behalf of the administration and the entire community, I extend our heartfelt condolences to her husband and her beloved three children."

And people have been flooding to social media to pay their respects too.

One Facebook user said: "We always think we are fine, but we are not machines. Please take your health seriously out there, my dear colleagues. This is tragic."

"Our friend and colleague Gabriella. A wonderful smile across the sky. Fly high, we will not forget you," another added.

A third commented: "She was lovely. Condolences to her family and friends."

And a fourth resolved: "Deep condolences to her family, friends and colleagues."

UNILAD has contacted ITA Airways for comment.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.