Panic Attack On British Airways Flight From Heathrow – England Triggers Passenger To Try To Open The Door Mid-Flight

POSSIBLE LEGAL ACTION: BA owner IAG is considering challenging UK's quarantine plans. CREDIT: Shutterstock

A MAN who suffered from a panic attack mid-flight triggered a wave of anxiety with fellow passengers as he tried to open the aircraft doors during the flight while screaming that he wanted to get out.

The incident occurred yesterday (Monday) on board a British Airways flight from Heathrow to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

Around an hour before BA 263 was due to land, the man tried to pull the door lever at the back of the plane as reported by The Guardian.

Fellow passengers intervened to stop the man, including 6ft 7 in Dean Whyte who is the brother of the boxer Dillian Whyte.

Passengers reportedly praised the efforts of Whyte who later admitted to The Guardian he had felt the incident was was like “something out of a movie.” Confessing that when he reached the distressed individual he had been mentally prepared to “slam him hard if necessary” but on seeing that the man didn’t seem “quite right in the head” he opted to hold him tight and calm him down which is what eventually worked.

The man then returned to his seat where he remained for the rest of the flight.

One passenger reportedly said on seeing the giant-sized Whyte aid to assist “I was mightily relieved when I saw him rushing to help,” echoing no doubt fellow passenger’s thoughts.

Adding that everyone who intervened were “heroes.”

A British Airways flight attendant confirmed to the Guardian that the incident had been reported to the authorities.

The airline has also stated that it was impossible for an aircraft door to open in flight. A spokesperson said: “Our cabin crew cared for a customer who suffered from a panic attack during the flight. We are sorry for any concern this caused our customers.”

This incident follows a number of others where passengers have tried to open the aircraft doors mid-flight, one of which was recently reported by Euro Weekly News.

And just June, a woman opened the emergency exit on a Pakistan International Airlines aircraft while it was still on the runway, thinking it was the door to the toilet.

Flight PK702 from Manchester to Islamabad was all set for an on-time departure, but was delayed by almost eight hours due to the passenger’s mistake.

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Cristina Hodgson

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