SYDNEY: A youngster was charged on Friday (Mar 7) with “endangering” the security of a business flight in Australia after attempting to sneak on board with a shotgun and ammunition, police mentioned.
The 17-year-old was overpowered by passengers and pinned to the ground of the airplane after attempting to climb on board the Jetstar flight close to Melbourne on Thursday afternoon, Victoria Police mentioned.
Police alleged he crept via a gap within the safety fence surrounding Avalon airport, about 60km southwest of Melbourne metropolis.
He was charged Friday with “endangering security of plane”, “unlawfully taking management of an plane”, firearm possession and “bomb hoax”, Victoria Police mentioned in an announcement.
Not one of the roughly 160 passengers on board the flight to Sydney had been injured, and police took the boy into custody.
They later discovered “two luggage and a car” belonging to him.
“As he approached the airplane, he is mounted or climbed the entrance stairs to the entrance of the airplane,” police superintendent Michael Reid instructed reporters on Thursday night.
“At that time, passengers have recognized the male was carrying a firearm. The male was overpowered by three of the passengers, at the least”.
Police had been involved with counter-terrorism investigators however it was too early to ascertain a motive, superintendent Michael Reid instructed reporters on Thursday night.
“Little doubt this may have been a really terrifying incident for the passengers,” he mentioned.
“Victoria Police actually commend the bravery of these passengers who had been … in a position to overpower that male.”
“DISTRESSING SITUATION”
Footage of the incident aired by Australia’s Channel 9 confirmed a boy in a fluorescent inexperienced jacket – related in color to these worn by floor workers – being pinned to the ground by a passenger and a pilot.
A flight attendant walks previous the melee carrying what seems to be the butt of a shotgun.
Passenger Barry Clark, a wool shearer from a rural city in Victoria, mentioned the teenager was “dressed as a employee” or some form of “technician”.
“All I may do was get the gun out of the way in which. After which put him in a maintain and throw him to the bottom till the police got here,” he instructed nationwide broadcaster ABC.
Jetstar mentioned it was working with police and airport authorities investigating the incident.
“We all know this may have been a really distressing state of affairs”, it mentioned in an announcement.
“We’re sincerely grateful to the purchasers who assisted our crew to securely handle the state of affairs.”
