Scoot flight to Singapore forced to turn back after onboard fight
Video footage showed passengers stepping in to help subdue the man. Photo: Channel Seven
A Scoot flight en route to Singapore was forced to turn back to Australia after a fight broke out onboard between two passengers when a man became “unruly”.
The incident happened an hour and 20 minutes into the eight-hour low-cost airline journey from the Gold Coast on Monday.
“During boarding and take-off the passenger appeared normal,” a Scoot spokesperson said on Tuesday.
“After take-off, he began to disturb surrounding passengers. Operating crew quickly moved them to other seats … Crew were also instructed not to sell alcohol to him.”
Soon after this, it’s alleged the passenger punched another and a fight broke out.
“The unruly passenger was eventually subdued with two restraining kits with the help of five passengers,” Scoot said.
A passenger on the flight took a video of the scuffle and told Channel Seven that the unruly man had begun drinking heavily after the flight was delayed.
BREAKING: A man on board a Scoot flight from the Gold Coast to Singapore had to be restrained by passengers and staff after he became involved in an altercation around 20 minutes into the flight. Due to the drama in the cabin,the flight was diverted to Sydney. #TheLatest #7News pic.twitter.com/DVLAMnUfNH
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) January 21, 2019
Footage of the incident showed some passengers struggling to restrain a man acting aggressively.
“Stop, sir, please stop,” a cabin crew member can be heard saying.
Another photo, a man can be seen laying with hands apparently bound in the aisle between seats.
Flight TR7 was diverted to Sydney, where the man was handed over to Australian Federal Police. No charges have been laid so far.
The man appeared to be bound by the wrists after being subdued. Photo: Channel Nine
In a statement, an AFP spokeswoman confirmed officers responded to a request for assistance at Sydney International Airport.
“The matter involves a disruptive male passenger onboard a flight from the Gold Coast to Singapore,” the statement read.
“The aircraft was diverted to Sydney and the AFP met the plane upon arrival. Enquiries into this matter remain ongoing.”
The Scoot passengers were transferred to other flights to Singapore.
The passenger who was assaulted did not need medical attention.
-with AAP
