A MAN HAS been tasered on a plane ahead of a Belfast-bound flight from London – reportedly because he wanted to bring on two pieces of hand luggage.
Police boarded the plane at around 8am after reports a passenger had become abusive.
He was later taken into custody.
A number of passengers posted updates on the incident on Twitter as it developed – reporting that the man had been tasered.
“A man is in police custody after being tasered on an aircraft waiting to depart from Gatwick Airport to Belfast,” Sussex Police said.
“Police officers were called to the EasyJet flight shortly after 8am to reports of a passenger who was becoming increasingly abusive following a dispute over luggage.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace. The aircraft has been disembarked and police are taking statements from witnesses among the crew and passengers.
Easyjet confirmed the incident, adding:
“EasyJet’s cabin crew are highly trained to assess and evaluate all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time.
Whilst such incidents are rare we take them very seriously, do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour on board, and always push for prosecution.
Passengers were taken off the plane as the issue was dealt with. They were eventually let back on, and the service continued on to Belfast.
Speaking to BBC Northern Ireland after the plane landed, one passenger said that the man had had a “fall out” with airline staff “because they tried to get him to put a bag in a bag”.
“He was a bit upset because of that,” he said.
“And then there were police on the plane. And then there were a few more police on the plane and then there were a lot of police on the plane.
“Then we all got told to get off the plane and then we were waiting for a couple of hours and we got back on the plane and now we’re here.”
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