Flight delays after passenger reports stomachache

SHENYANG - A flight canceled its take-off while taxiing after a passenger reported a sudden stomachache on Tuesday night, China Southern Airlines north branch said on Wednesday.

Flight CZ 6518, from East China's Hangzhou City to Northeast China's Shenyang City, was carrying 152 passengers. The plane was getting ready to take off at around 9:50 p.m. when a passenger reported to a flight attendant that he felt very sick and had a severe stomachache.

The plane's captain then ordered the plane to taxi back to the gate position and called an ambulance for the passenger.

The flight was delayed for 40 minutes and later took off at 10:30 p.m..

According to the north branch of the airline, China Southern made five emergency maneuvers or schedule changes in 2013 due to passengers' physical conditions.