Originally published Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 5:05 PM

Conjoined twins from Liberia die on plane to US

Conjoined twin baby girls from Liberia who were traveling to New York for medical treatment died aboard a plane that was diverted to Canada on Thursday.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia —

Conjoined twin baby girls from Liberia who were traveling to New York for medical treatment died aboard a plane that was diverted to Canada on Thursday.

Cpl. Joe Taplin said the Delta Air Lines flight was about 35 minutes from the Nova Scotia coast when the girls' mother noticed the one-month-old infants had stopped breathing.

"A medical doctor on board gave medical assistance, but the twins were pronounced dead when they arrived" at the airport, Taplin said.

Peter Spurway, spokesman for the airport, said the call came in around 12:00 p.m. EST, and the plane landed without incident shortly thereafter.

Taplin said the twins were headed to New York to undergo treatment for an unspecified illness. There were no details on the cause of death.

An investigation has now been turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Passengers sitting near the twins were also interviewed before the plane, which originated in Brussels, resumed its trip to New York's JFK Airport, Taplin said.

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