Passenger headbutts crew on flight to Heathrow
A passenger on an Emirates flight from Dubai was restrained by a travelling police officer after he allegedly launched a mid-air attack on the crew.
The passenger reportedly headbutted one member of the crew after attacking three others on flight EK005.
A police officer managed to put him in a headlock, after which he was detained on the cabin floor until the flight landed at Heathrow last night.
The man was arrested and is being questioned at Heathrow Police Station.
Passenger Dr Farah Jameel told the Evening Standard the man was bound with ‘black rope’ after ‘a huge ruckus’.
She said: "The guy was pinned down and they had tied him up. His hands, legs, and even someone holding his head.
"They even at one point put a surgical face mask on him, I guess to try to stop him biting them. They were wearing gloves as well.
"It was the second time he had kicked off. There was a police officer on the flight and he put him in a headlock."
Dr Jameel said other passengers on the seven-hour flight were ‘freaked out’ by what happened.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were called to an incident involving a violent passenger and arrested a 30-year-old Dutch male. However, a spokesman said the incident was not related to terrorism.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Shortly after 5.30pm on Sunday, February 14, police at Heathrow Airport were informed of a violent passenger onboard a flight from Dubai expected to arrive Terminal 3 at around 8pm.
"On landing officers boarded the plane and arrested a 30-year-old male Dutch national on suspicion of common assault.
"He was taken off the plane and into custody at Heathrow police station where he remains at this time.
"The investigation of the incident by Heathrow police is ongoing."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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