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Mystery illness forces American Airlines jet to turn back
Tuesday, 28 Jan, 2016
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An investigation is continuing into a mystery illness which struck down several people on an American Airlines Los Angeles bound flight.
One member of crew fainted and at least five others complained of feeling unwell after the jet left London Heathrow on Wednesday.
Three passengers were also affected.
The captain then declared an emergency and turned back to London.
Passenger Alan Gray told MailOnline he saw a flight attendant collapse, and said: "It was at that point the captain said he was turning the plane around. He said he wasn’t willing to take the risk to keep going and hadn’t got the crew to do it.
‘They wouldn’t let us have our luggage. They’re doing checks on it so it looks like there could be something more to it."
American Airlines said ‘a thorough inspection of the aircraft’ was made but failed to solve the mystery.
After passengers deplaned in London, all passenger bags were reportedly taken for additional tests for ‘elevated levels of any substances’, a spokesperson said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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