A 22-year-old passenger died following a medical emergency aboard a Southwest Airlines flight en route to Los Angeles. Rain McMillan Walmsey became unresponsive on Southwest Flight 958 from Dallas on August 7, prompting attempts to administer aid before the plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport.
Records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner indicate that the investigation into Walmsey's death is ongoing, and the exact cause remains undetermined. The medical examiner's office has listed the cause of death as "deferred," signifying that a final determination is pending additional review. No manner of death has been officially declared.
Paramedics responded to the scene upon the flight's arrival at LAX, but Walmsey could not be revived and was pronounced dead. It is currently unclear what specific medical emergency he experienced during the flight.
Southwest Airlines confirmed a "medical incident involving a customer" occurred on the flight but referred further inquiries to local authorities. This incident is one of several recent cases involving medical emergencies on commercial flights. In January 2025, a 53-year-old passenger died on an Air France flight from Paris to Boston, with preliminary information suggesting a medical episode. Additionally, in June 2024, an 8-year-old passenger became ill on a SkyWest flight, leading to a diversion, and a 41-year-old American passenger died after a medical emergency on a Fiji Airways flight in the same month.