WS2702 Diverted back to YYZ [because of a passenger who claimed to have coronavirus]
Feb 3, 2020, 5:25 pm
#1
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WS2702 Diverted back to YYZ [because of a passenger who claimed to have coronavirus]
On February 3rd Westjet WS2702 from YYZ to MBJ was forced to divert back to YYZ today after a passengers claimed to have had Coronavirus and wanted to infect the plane. Other passengers reported the unruly passenger who made the claim was videotaping himself at the time. The flight was just over 2 hours from Toronto and the pilot was forced to return the plane around and fly back to YYZ. Peel police met the plane and the passenger was removed. Westjet crew onboard announced they were looking for anyone seated around the passenger to give their statements to the police. Passengers were given hotel accomodation and the new flight WS4100 scheduled to resume on February 4th.
Feb 3, 2020, 6:10 pm
#3
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Because of the possible coronavirus 'claim' they wouldn't be allowed to land. Westjet directed the pilot back to YYZ. They were on the ground onboard the aircraft for almost an hour before they were put into busses to be brought back to the terminal.Peel police have arrested a man for mischief after he reportedly told a plane full of people bound for Jamaica that he had coronavirus, forcing it to return to Toronto.
The WestJet flight, headed to Montego Bay,, departed Toronto around 10 a.m. and was about halfway there when the man stood up and told crew and passengers he had coronavirus.
The pilot radioed back and returned the flight to Toronto Pearson Airport. The plane landed at around 2:10 p.m. where the suspect was arrested.
The 29-year-old from Thornhill has since been charged with mischief. He will appear in court on March 9 in Brampton.
WestJet apologized to the 243 passengers affected by “this unfortunate situation.” They added the plane crew followed all protocols for infectious disease on board, including sequestering the man.
Peel police say they believe the incident was a prank and WestJet said the claim the man has coronavirus was “unfounded.”
The WestJet flight, headed to Montego Bay,, departed Toronto around 10 a.m. and was about halfway there when the man stood up and told crew and passengers he had coronavirus.
The pilot radioed back and returned the flight to Toronto Pearson Airport. The plane landed at around 2:10 p.m. where the suspect was arrested.
The 29-year-old from Thornhill has since been charged with mischief. He will appear in court on March 9 in Brampton.
WestJet apologized to the 243 passengers affected by “this unfortunate situation.” They added the plane crew followed all protocols for infectious disease on board, including sequestering the man.
Peel police say they believe the incident was a prank and WestJet said the claim the man has coronavirus was “unfounded.”
Last edited by brewster; Feb 3, 2020 at 6:16 pm
Feb 3, 2020, 10:47 pm
#5
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Feb 3, 2020, 11:13 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2010
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He should be forcibly quarantined for 14 days in isolation (for the Corona Virus he claims to have) before being remanded to the authorities for possible (likely) prosecution. The airline should also put him on their No Fly list for 5-10 years in addition to demanding repayment for diversion costs if he was faking. Stiffer penalties if he was not faking and knew he had Corona Virus and attempted to infect everyone on the plane.
Feb 4, 2020, 5:30 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2014
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It's unlikely someone this stupid has the financial resources to come up with such sums. If they do have a decent paying job now, they won't have it for long after word gets out.
Feb 4, 2020, 8:07 pm
#11
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I know he doesn't have two cents to rub together (occupation: "aspiring rapper") but still ...
Agree he should be quarantined just to be sure though. Six months out to do it.
Feb 4, 2020, 10:32 pm
#13
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Genius-level reasoning, here
Feb 4, 2020, 11:22 pm
#14
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In what people now regard as less enlightened times, we would have the stocks in the town square and we would have been able to throw fruit at him. My go-to is canned pineapple (still in the can).
Feb 5, 2020, 1:01 am
#15
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ACTUALLY, per the video it seems he may have just said "your attention please. I just came from Wuhan province".
Very different than making an actual threat saying he has "xyz virus". The passengers chose to hear that as a threat,. I think the crew over-reacted. They could have just told people we apologize for the outburst. What if the guy had a medical condition (Tourette's, etc)
I Had he been telling the truth, he could have been excited to have left in time. Or just telling us where he traveled.
Very different than making an actual threat saying he has "xyz virus". The passengers chose to hear that as a threat,. I think the crew over-reacted. They could have just told people we apologize for the outburst. What if the guy had a medical condition (Tourette's, etc)
I Had he been telling the truth, he could have been excited to have left in time. Or just telling us where he traveled.