Man is in police custody after being tasered on an aircraft

This is the dramatic moment a man was tasered on a easyJet flight about to take off for Belfast.

Police boarded the aircraft at London’s Gatwick airport this morning after a man became irate reportedly wanting to take two pieces of hand luggage onto the plane.

The incident leading to the man’s arrest happened on the flight to Belfast at just after 8am.

A witness said: “Total chaos broke out when the man became confrontational.

“When the police came on board and tasered him there were children crying and a lot of panic among passengers.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “A man is in police custody after being tasered on an aircraft waiting to depart from Gatwick Airport to Belfast on Thursday morning.

"Police officers were called to the easyJet flight shortly after 8am to reports of a passenger who was becoming increasingly abusive following a dispute over luggage. A man has been arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace.

"The aircraft has been disembarked and police are taking statements from witnesses among the crew and passengers.”

An easyJet spokeswoman said: “EasyJet can confirm that police boarded flight EZY831 from London Gatwick to Belfast on August 20 due to a passenger behaving disruptively.

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“EasyJet’s cabin crew are highly trained to assess and evaluate all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time.

“Whilst such incidents are rare we take them very seriously, do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour on board and always push for prosecution.

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Fellow passenger Niall Copeland posted on Twitter: "Man getting arrested on @easyJet flight home to #Belfast because he wants 2 pieces of hand luggage! I'll never mess with easyJet now!"

He added: "All because he was insistent of wearing his man purse. He tried to insinuate that it was racially motivated."

Johny Cassidy posted: "Whoop whoop. easyJet have just offered a complimentary soft drink to all the passengers. Big spenders."

Irish Independent

Belfast Telegraph