A New York-bound Continental Airlines flight has made an emergency landing after its pilot died mid-flight.

Flight 61, a Boeing 777 with 247 passengers on board, landed at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey under the control of two co-pilots.

In a statement, Continental said: "The captain of Continental flight 61, which was en route from Brussels to Newark, died in flight, apparently of natural causes.

"The crew on this flight included an additional relief pilot who took the place of the deceased pilot. The flight continued safely with two pilots at the controls."

The pilot, 61, was based in Newark and had worked for Continental for 21 years, the airline said.

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