A man on-board a British Airways flight has been sent to hospital after being bitten on the arm as he helped flight attendants deal with a “violent passenger”.
Christopher McNerlin received the vicious bite mark after intervening in an altercation between cabin crew and an aggressive passenger while flying from Dubai to Heathrow on Friday.
Mr McNerlin, from Stratford-upon-Avon, shared pictures of the mark on social media, and joked the injury was “almost worth it” after the flight’s captain invited him into the cockpit once the plane had landed safely.
He wrote: “That time when you help restrain and handcuff a nutter at 40,000ft. He bites you, but it’s all OK because Captain Kendal lets you sit in the cockpit.”
Mr McNerlin said he had been taken to A&E after "helping the British Airways stewardess restrain a violent passenger on board yesterday’s BA0104".
He also praised the “Incredible team on the flight", "especially Hayley, who put herself in harm’s way to protect passengers."
"Thanks to British Airways Captain Kendall for showing me the cockpit. The bite and A&E were almost worth it," he added.
Mr McNerlin, who works for “trend forecasting company” WGSN, has now protected his tweets.
British Airways thanked Mr McNerlin, from Stratford-Upon-Avon, saying: “We hope you are alright. I’m sure Hayley would’ve appreciated your assistance on board. Thanks.”
A British Airways spokesperson said: “Our customers and crews deserve to enjoy their flights, and not to suffer any form of abuse. Appropriate action will always be taken.”
The airline said officers were called to the airport shortly before 6pm and the matter was now being dealt with by police.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Officers attended and found a 21-year-old man who had assaulted a passenger. The man was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and being drunk on board an aircraft.
“He was taken to a west London police station and had been bailed to a date late in May. The Injured passenger received medical assistance for a minor injury at the scene.”
Additional reporting by Press Association
