A huge emergency response – including several fire trucks and police vehicles – could be seen on the tarmac beside the Saudia Airlines plane seconds after it arrived at Heathrow
Police stormed an aircraft at Heathrow after a passenger allegedly punched a flight attendant and tried opening the plane door.
Police were seen next to the Saudia Airlines plane seconds after it hit the tarmac at the busy London transport hub. Police confirmed a man was arrested on suspicion of endangering an aircraft, two counts of assault by beating, behaving in a threatening, abusive or disorderly manner towards a member of aircraft crew and damaging an aircraft
After touching down, airport staff rapidly put stairs up so cops could board the plane, The Sun reports. Witnesses reported seeing four fire trucks, six police cars and a number of ambulances, as well as the airport’s own response teams. The alleged incident happened on Flight SV119 – which had landed at Heathrow from Jeddah at around 1pm this afternoon.
A staff member was reportedly struck by a passenger following an argument onboard. The traveller then tried to open the door while the plane was taxiing on the tarmac, a witness claimed.
The pilot brought the plane to a halt, alerting emergency services. It’s alleged the passenger was refusing to wait to disembark the aircraft until it had stopped.
A source told The Sun: “It was chaos on board and very frightening for families.
“The plane had wheels down but a passenger was so agitated and struck out at the crew because he wanted to get off there and then. It was crazy so close to reaching the aircraft stand.”
The flight departed the Saudi capital just over 30 minutes after its scheduled time. The flight time was around six hours.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told The Mirror: “Officers at London Heathrow Airport were called to an aircraft, which had recently landed at 12:57hrs on Thursday, 28 August following reports of a disturbance.
“Officers arrested a 33-year-old man on suspicion of endangering an aircraft, two counts of assault by beating, behaving in a threatening, abusive or disorderly manner towards a member of aircraft crew and damaging an aircraft. He has since been released under investigation as enquiries continue.”