Posted on 12/27/2001 6:15:18 AM PST by Elkiejg
ARMED police have boarded a Sydney-bound United Airlines flight in London and forced three passengers off the plane.
United Airlines are refusing to comment on the incident, with a spokesman for the airline in the UK confirming only that the flight from Heathrow to Sydney via San Francisco had been delayed.
But British police have confirmed armed police boarded the plane and removed three passengers.
Flight UA 931, from London to Sydney via San Francisco left Heathrow terminal as scheduled at about 2pm (GMT) on Monday afternoon (0100 AEDT Tuesday).
According to a teenage passenger, Jack Richardson from Manly in Sydney's northern beaches, the plane stopped on the runway and the pilot advised of mechanical problems over the aircraft's public address system.
"The pilot comes on and says he's not at liberty to tell us exactly what happened," he told ABC Radio.
"But the fact is a man from first class, a man from business class and a man from economy class had all been arrested and escorted off the plane."
Mr Richardson said the plane returned to the terminal, where armed police boarded it and escorted the passengers away.
He said about 100 remaining passengers were told to disembark and were subject to an extensive body and luggage search.
The flight eventually took off four hours behind schedule, Mr Richardson said.
A spokeswoman from the Metropolitan Police Service in London said the airline had sought the assistance of police to remove three passengers from the flight.
"At about 3.15pm (GMT) on Monday (0215 AEDT Tuesday), three passengers on a flight from London Heathrow to San Francisco were asked to leave the plane by police at the request of the airline company," she said.
"No offences were discovered, no arrests were made and there was no further action taken."
The basis on which the airline had sought the passengers' removal was a matter for United Airlines to decide whether to reveal, the police spokeswoman said.
A spokeswoman for United Airlines in the UK, Ruth Hornsby, confirmed the flight had been delayed but declined to provide further details.
"United Airlines' main priority is the safety and security of its passengers and staff," she told AAP from London.
The airline's Australian spokesman, Ian Nicholas, also declined to provide further details of the incident, saying it was a police matter.
This report appears on news.com.au.
Some advice from the sidelines.
The real "Iron Lady" Thatcher knew when she was in way over her head ... like you are now.
When one finds themselves in a hole, the best course of action would be to STOP DIGGING.
Artistic flare aside, I sense that CGEB could take the field with any "intellectual".
do you feel better elevating yourself above others? Has it boosted your self esteem ? - Like I said, get counseling - your posts, and yes some of my own drop to the same level at times - You add little to the diatribe, but flay someone over a colored font - You have way too much time on your hands, and I've spent too much time getting carpal tunnel on indignant slobs like you.
Now back to your room, and wait til your father gets home, he's gonna wash your mouth out with soap.
Oh my...this I want to see!!!!! And if and when you do this, CGEB is not allowed to just cut and paste from article and call that her "debate".
Sometimes it does help to put the third eye away when taking a look at reality.
Many of us kept an eye on the passengers who got special meals or didn't eat the portions with pork.
Did you save the foil from the main course serving dish for your hat?
Hardly. You see, one must actually employ words, not colors.
I'm going to assume that in your classy way, you're referring to my "minds eye",
the one that can envision things not readily apparent to say - the casual observer.
I'm having a vision right now in fact - It's you giving Freddy Kruger his sweater back.
Rugby League works for me - RUCK OVER !!
Yeah I was waiting to see how long it would take til someone brought hormones into this, Cheap shot -
I just hate to see some blue hair from downstate whack on some youngin' for a seemingly signature and unique font when there are so many other important things to worry about - Thats the problem with pubbies - we tend to eat our own (at times unappropriately), whereas the rats can at least unite.
Model 101 Indian Scout- THE finest motorcycle ever built
Buddy, the best motorcycle ever built is the one that your own MOTHER is willing to hop on and go for a spin...
And another thing - you are sorely lacking INK - ;)
later bro
ROTFLMAO ! So you know, it's a baseball cap, and I'm no momma's boy.
BTW, that woman can puddy a broken window, run a Histology dept AND burn her calf on a hot EVO exaust and STILL go for a ride.
lest they get a nasty roadrash or offend the sensibilities of fair maidens.
No danger of THAT in this vicinity.
Smoking while riding is ok if you can master it - but no blunts or clove cigarettes.
I'll partake in a Clint Eastwood style "Backwoods" any time, favorite cigar is of course the Montecristo #2.
And another thing - you are sorely lacking INK - ;)
Truth be told, as an illustrator I'm constantly changing my mind about what I like and I'd hate to spoil the canvas.
Lame I know.
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