Tuesday, August 12, 2014
A flight from Hong Kong to London was forced to turn back after 90 minutes after a British passenger became disruptive and started shouting at flight stewards.
The Heathrow-bound Virgin Atlantic flight VS201 took off from Chek Lap Kok at midnight but returned at 3.49am yesterday.
Police entered the plane and arrested a man, identified only as Robert, 26, who was sent to Princess Margaret Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. He was arrested for violating aviation security ordinance but so far he has not been charged.
A woman seated two rows behind told The Standard Robert was restrained and then tied to a seat.
The woman, who only wished to be known as a local Westerner, said she does not "think it's right to tie someone for 10 hours [from Hong Kong to London]" and that Robert "did not appear to be an angry or drunk person."
She also praised the flight staff, whom she described as very respectful.
Another passenger, however, described the experience as scary on Twitter.
"Wow, absolutely terrifying. Disruptive/ disturbed passenger on our flight back," wrote @MsEmmaCharlotte. "A man was either on drugs or mentally ill, attacking staff, thinking they were taking him to space. All very scary."
A spokeswoman for Virgin Atlantic said the 240 stranded passengers were given hotel accommodation before flying out again late last night.
A police spokesman said a foreigner "shouted on the plane and did not follow the crew's instructions," so he was arrested for "violating aviation security ordinance."
STAFF REPORTERS
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=11&art_id=148289&sid=42790484&con_type=1&d_str=20140812&fc=2
