flatpicker
07-18-2008, 08:06 PM
Tackle of the season for Revolution saves aircraft (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2008/07/18/revs-save.html)
An American Airlines flight from Boston to Los Angeles was diverted to Oklahoma City on Friday after a passenger stripped, put his clothes back on and then tried to open an emergency exit door.
He was quickly subdued by members of the New England Revolution soccer team and others, the FBI said.
American Flight 725, a Boeing 757 with 151 passengers and seven crew, arrived in Oklahoma City at 1:35 p.m. CT and was back in the air an hour later on the way to Los Angeles, said Tim Smith, a spokesman for American Airlines.
The passenger was removed from the plane in Oklahoma City and was undergoing a psychiatric evaluation, FBI spokesman Gary Johnson said.
Members of the Revolution, of Major League Soccer, were among those who grabbed the passenger near an exit door, Johnson said. Tie wraps were placed on the man, he said. The man's name was not immediately released, .
A message left with a team spokeswoman Friday was not immediately returned.
But Stacey James, a spokesman for the New England Patriots, which shares an owner with the Revolution, said three Revolution staff members helped restrain the unruly passenger: Michael Burns, vice-president of player personnel, assistant coach Gwynne Williams, and general manager Craig Tornberg.
According to the FBI's Johnson, the passenger emerged from a bathroom without his clothes on.
"He was asked to go back to the bathroom to put his clothes on and he did and went back to his seat and then allegedly attempted to open an aircraft emergency exit door," Johnson said.
"Members of the Major League Soccer team, the New England Revolution, were on the flight. They were able to subdue him," he said.
New England Revolution plays Chivas USA at Cal State Fullerton on Sunday evening.
An American Airlines flight from Boston to Los Angeles was diverted to Oklahoma City on Friday after a passenger stripped, put his clothes back on and then tried to open an emergency exit door.
He was quickly subdued by members of the New England Revolution soccer team and others, the FBI said.
American Flight 725, a Boeing 757 with 151 passengers and seven crew, arrived in Oklahoma City at 1:35 p.m. CT and was back in the air an hour later on the way to Los Angeles, said Tim Smith, a spokesman for American Airlines.
The passenger was removed from the plane in Oklahoma City and was undergoing a psychiatric evaluation, FBI spokesman Gary Johnson said.
Members of the Revolution, of Major League Soccer, were among those who grabbed the passenger near an exit door, Johnson said. Tie wraps were placed on the man, he said. The man's name was not immediately released, .
A message left with a team spokeswoman Friday was not immediately returned.
But Stacey James, a spokesman for the New England Patriots, which shares an owner with the Revolution, said three Revolution staff members helped restrain the unruly passenger: Michael Burns, vice-president of player personnel, assistant coach Gwynne Williams, and general manager Craig Tornberg.
According to the FBI's Johnson, the passenger emerged from a bathroom without his clothes on.
"He was asked to go back to the bathroom to put his clothes on and he did and went back to his seat and then allegedly attempted to open an aircraft emergency exit door," Johnson said.
"Members of the Major League Soccer team, the New England Revolution, were on the flight. They were able to subdue him," he said.
New England Revolution plays Chivas USA at Cal State Fullerton on Sunday evening.