Luton Flyer Arrested for Emergency Exit Incident
Joe Cortez July 25, 2017
Passengers say Polish flyer attempted to open over-wing exit 30 minutes prior to landing.
A Polish flyer bound for Britain’s London Luton Airport (LTN) is now facing charges of disrupting an international flight after passengers say he attempted to open an emergency exit prior to landing. BBC News reports the unruly individual attempted the door opening aboard Wizz Air Flight 1005 on Saturday, July 22, 2017.
According to the account of those aboard the flight, the individual – identified only as a male in his twenties – appeared agitated on the bus ride to the aircraft, as well as during the flight. 30 minutes before landing, the passenger suddenly moved to sit next to a woman in an over-wing exit row. After a moment, he attempted to climb over his rowmate and open the exit door.
Other passengers aboard W61005 immediately moved to subdue the individual by wrestling him to the ground and sitting on him. The flight attendants used seatbelts intended for safety demonstrations to restrain the flyer until the aircraft could land. Police were called to the airport when the aircraft landed just before midnight local time to arrest the man.
In a statement to BBC News, Wizz Air confirmed the “unruly and abusive” passenger incident. A spokesperson for the airline lauded the quick actions of the flight attendants to ensure a safe landing.
“The Wizz crew on duty followed standard procedures to ensure the continued safe operation of the flight,” a spokesperson told BBC News. “Upon landing, the passenger was handed over to the respective authorities.”
A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Police said the flyer was taken to the hospital after arrest to treat minor injuries. Afterwards, he was taken into custody and questioned about his actions.
[Photo: Shutterstock]
