Young family stuck in Dubai after man dies onboard Emirates flight

Expats have come out in force for a woman and her two young children after a family trip was struck by tragedy

A man has died onboard an Emirates flight to Dubai. Ashraf Mohammad / Reuters

The UAE expat community has rallied around a young family after a man died on a flight bound for Dubai.

A British man, who was a permanent resident in New Zealand, died onboard an Emirates flight from Christchurch to Dubai on March 18. He was travelling to the UK with his wife and children, who are now in a Dubai hotel while they await autopsy results.

After a call went out on various Dubai, and New Zealand, social media channels, offers of help have been rolling in for the family. Complete strangers rushed to the hotel in the hopes they could be of some assistance.

The man's wife, who did not want to be named, said she was getting "all the support that we need" and was grateful for the aid.

"The support has been incredible," she said.

An Emirates spokesperson said in a statement:

“Emirates can confirm that a passenger on flight EK413 Christchurch to Dubai on 18 March was taken ill on board.

"On arrival in Dubai the flight was met by medical services who confirmed the passenger had sadly passed away. Emirates offers sincere condolences to the family and is providing them with support and assistance."