Bomb hoax passenger on Manchester Airport-bound plane held under Mental Health Act

A MAN has been detained under the Mental Health act after a bomb hoax on a UK-bound passenger plane meant RAF jets had to escort to Manchester Airport.

A passenger allegedly sparked a bomb hoax on a Manchester Airport bound planeThe scenes at Manchester Airport after a passenger allegedly sparked a bomb hoax[GETTY]

The 47-year-old was arrested by armed officials after the Qatar Airways flight QR23 from Doha touched down yesterday afternoon.

Some 269 passengers and 13 crew members were onboard the Airbus A330-300 jet and one said it was "terrifying" seeming a military jet travel with them.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said the passenger had been detained under the mental health act.

He said: "Following his arrest he was assessed by medical staff and again by a mental health team.

"He was subsequently sectioned to allow for a fuller assessment and appropriate treatment."

An alleged shot of the suspect in the Manchester Airport bomb hoaxA Twitter picture allegedly showing the Manchester Airport suspect being escorted off the plane [DEMOTIX/SPLASH]

I looked out the window, then I just started shaking - (it was) a bit terrifying seeing a fighter jet outside the window

Passenger Josh Hartley

Emergency procedures were sparked after fears of "a possible device on board" the plane but police searched it and pronounced the jet clear of any danger.

Some passenger said they saw an RAF fighter jet come close to the civilian aircraft and posted pictures and video on social networking site Twitter.

One of them Josh Hartley said he "started shaking" when he saw the RAF Typhoon outside the window of the jet.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said: "We were coming in to land (and) about eight minutes, 10 minutes before we landed, a fighter jet came alongside.

"I looked out the window, then I just started shaking - (it was) a bit terrifying seeing a fighter jet outside the window."

Josh Hartley was onboard the plane during the bomb hoaxPassenger Josh Hartley tweeted throughout the bomb hoax [PA]

He also claimed that the passengers were not given information about the hoax security threat by the crew of the Qatari plane.

He added a standard weather update was even given before they touched down while the RAF plane escorted them.

Mr Hartley said him and his fellow passengers found out about the false bomb threat on threat on Twitter and news websites.

His friend Matt Cox, who was asleep in his seat until the plane landed, said: "We didn't get told anything about the nature of what was happening at any point.

"It's not nice finding things out from Twitter rather than the people who are supposed to be in charge of you. Obviously we know why they did it."

The Qatar Airways flight was escorted by an RAF planeThe Qatar Airways flight was escorted by an RAF plane after the bomb hoax [PA]

Passengers said two armed police officers ordered the suspect to put his hands on his hands before they arrested him and led him away.

Eyewitnesses in the area reported seeing several police and fire vehicles around the airport.

Manchester Airport said nine incoming flights had to be diverted to other airports, with five of these landing at Leeds Bradford Airport.

One flight that landed on time at its original destination was carrying Premier League giants Manchester United.

New Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal and his squad which includes England striker Wayne Rooney had been on a pre-season friendly tournament in Florida.

• For confidential help and support regarding mental health issues then call MIND on 0208 522 1743

Comments Unavailable

Sorry, we are unable to accept comments about this article at the moment. However, you will find some great articles which you can comment on right now in our Comment section.

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?