Tragic mystery as Brit mum dies on flight in front of her kids who sat with her body for 8hrs as family moved back to UK

A BRIT mum suddenly passed away in front of her husband and kids while on a flight back to the UK. Helen Rhodes was excitedly heading home with her family on August 5 for a “new adventure” after living in Hong Kong for 15 years. The mum tragically passed away while on the flight from Hong Kong with her family But a few hours into the long-haul flight, the midwife was found unresponsive after seemingly falling asleep. Helen was unable to be resuscitated on board the aircraft. Harrowingly, her devastated children had to sit next to their mum who had fallen into a “breathless sleep” for another eight hours. Most read in The Sun 'IT WAS LIKE JAWS' Terrified Brit boy, 8, savaged by sharks on holiday in the Bahamas Splash party England heroes Ella Toone and Ellie Roebuck continue post-Euro part in Ibiza hello yellow! Love Island fans all say the same thing as Danica shares sexy underwear snaps 'NOTHING DIGNIFIED' Archie Battersbee's family slam hospital after his 'barbaric' death 'HEART IS BROKEN' Tributes to popular dad, 58, killed at family holiday park as 6 arrested MOTOR HEAD My neighbour left a note criticising my parking - they even drew a diagram She was cradled by her loved ones until the plane eventually landed in Frankfurt, Germany. Although it was “extremely traumatising” for her family, they found comfort in the fact they could say their goodbyes to her. The mum’s body remained in the German city while her heartbroken husband and kids continued onto the UK. A GoFundMe has been launched by Helen’s pal Jayne Jeje to fund the repatriation of her body as well as funeral costs. She described the midwife as a “devoted wife and mother” who “was the glue that held her family together.” Jayne wrote: “This fundraiser is to honor this lovely woman who was loved by so many, a dear friend who touched so many people. “We can only hope she knew how much she meant to us., and how her void can never be filled. “How this loss is so painful and surreal. The grief we feel is paralyzing. Yet, we feel lucky to have known her.”