(January 22, 2007)--A Continental Airlines pilot who became ill after takeoff and was later pronounced dead after the plane made an emergency landing evidently died of natural causes, the airline says.

Continental said only that the pilot suffered a "serious medical problem."

A Continental spokeswoman says the company believes the pilot died of natural causes.

The plane was carrying 210 passengers on a flight from Houston to Mexico, when it was diverted to an airport in McAllen.

Continental says the passengers were never in danger and the co-pilot landed the plane safely.

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