Drunken cricketer tries to open cabin door at 35,000 feet
A Sri Lankan cricketer caused a mid-air scare after trying to open a cabin door on a British Airways flight at 35,000ft after mistaking it for the toilet.
The sportsman was on a flight from St Lucia to Gatwick after playing against the West Indies.
Fellow passengers were horrified to see him pushing and pulling at the exterior door for up to two minutes.
Passenger Charlene Francis, 26, told the Daily Telegraph: "It was pretty frightening.
"The flight attendants came running down the aisle and tried to calm him down. It was very scary. He looked very dazed or drunk."
A British Airways spokesman said: "During the flight a man got up and tried to go to the toilet. But instead of going to the toilet he tried to open the aircraft door in mid-flight.
"The event was linked to an element of alcohol. He explained his mistake and cabin crew accepted it in good faith."
BA stressed that it is impossible to open the pressurised door in mid-flight.
The player’s board, Sri Lanka Cricket, said: "Further to the media reports relating to an incident that took place today involving a Sri Lankan player, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to announce that it is disappointed to hear of such an incident and SLC will discuss with the manager of Sri Lanka A team.
"An inquiry will be conducted based on the manager’s report and disciplinary action will be taken on the player concerned if found guilty."
Diane
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