There was concern a 27-year-old man may have uttered threats about a bomb as he was being escorted off an aircraft that had to make an unscheduled landing due to his behaviour.
WestJet flight 664, from Vancouver to Toronto, was forced to land in Thunder Bay shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday because of this passenger’s ‘unruly behaviour’, said Thunder Bay police.
They said the man became agitated on the flight, and the crew were forced to restrian him. The aircraft landed without incident, but as a precaution the 118 passengers on board were deplaned and the aircraft was searched. Their luggage also had to be checked Saturday night and they stayed in Thunder Bay until Sunday morning.
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Police said the man, who is a Portuguese national, was taken into custody and escorted to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for a medical assessment.
The aircraft has since been declared safe following the search by the O.P.P Explosives Disposal Unit and Thunder Bay Police Service officers.
Passengers and the aircraft will continue on to Toronto today.
Police said the 27-year-old has been held for a medical assessment and has a history of mental health issues.
No charges are expected to be laid, according to police, but it is expected that the man, along with his father, will be returned to Portugal once he has been ‘cleared medically’.
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