A man accused of running naked down the aisle of an Australian domestic flight and knocking over a flight attendant, forcing the plane to turn back, has been arrested by police at the airport.
MELBOURNE, Australia — A man accused of running naked down the aisle of an Australian domestic flight and knocking over a flight attendant, forcing the plane to turn back, was arrested by police at the airport, authorities said Tuesday.
The incident happened early on Monday night during a three-and-a-half-hour Virgin Australia flight from the west coast city of Perth to Melbourne on the east coast.
Flight VA696 returned to Perth Airport due to an “unwanted passenger”, according to a statement from the airline.
Australian Federal Police officers were waiting for the flight and “the disturbing passenger was removed from the flight”, Virgin said.
Police announced, “A man was arrested on suspicion of running around the plane naked during the flight and slamming a flight attendant to the floor.”
“The man was transported to hospital for examination where he remains,” the police statement said.
It is unclear where and how the passengers undressed on the plane.
Police will issue a summons for the man to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on June 14. It has yet to be determined what charges the man will face.
The airline apologised to “affected guests”, adding that the safety of passengers and crew is its top priority.
Both the airline and police declined to comment beyond the statements.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that no one was injured in the incident.
