Dhaka, Oct. 8 -- A Southern California cardiologist has died aboard a Qatar Airways flight after reportedly choking on food when his requested vegetarian meal was unavailable, according to a wrongful death lawsuit cited by The Independent (UK).

The passenger, 85-year-old Dr Asoka Jayaweera, was flying from Los Angeles to Colombo, Sri Lanka, when the incident occurred. His family claims the airline failed to provide the vegetarian meal he had ordered in advance, forcing him to attempt to "eat around" the meat in a regular meal instead.

Shortly after doing so, Jayaweera began choking, according to the lawsuit filed by his son, Surya Jayaweera. Flight attendants administered aid and contacted MedAire, a company that provides in-flight emer...