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Virgin flight forced to turn back after ‘laser beam incident’
A Virgin Atlantic flight heading to New York was forced to turn back after reports that the pilot was affected by a laser pointed at the cockpit.
The flight left Heathrow yesterday and was over the West coast of Ireland when the crew alerted air traffic control that there was a medical issue on board.
The Aviation Herald said the crew reported one of the pilots has been affected by a laser strike after take-off from Heathrow Airport.
Virgin said that the flight was turned around ‘as a precautionary measure due to a laser beam incident’ and police said they were investigating the incident.
In a statement the airline said: "The safety of our crew and customers is our top priority and we apologise for any inconvenience to those onboard. All customers will be offered overnight accommodation and we will get them on their journey as soon as possible.
"We are working with the authorities to identify the source of the laser that caused the return of the aircraft to Heathrow."
Last year a British Airways pilot’s eyesight was reportedly damaged when a ‘military-strength’ laser was shone into the cockpit of his plane as it landed at Heathrow.
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