Suitcase-Carrying Man Tried To Run From Police At Manchester Airport

A man described by British police as a terror suspect was tasered on the tarmac of Manchester Airport as he tried to run from officers. Investigators said he was carrying a suitcase -- and were wondering how he got on the tarmac in the first place.

Thousands of passengers in Terminals One and Two were forced to evacuate and those headed for the airport were warned away. Roadblocks were set up around the airport before the all-clear was sounded three hours later.

"I saw a man in a suit carrying a case and walking on the apron between terminal one and terminal two," Ken Friar, 61, told the Manchester Evening News.

He had been photographing planes from the top of nearby parking decks.

"Suddenly two police vehicles drove up and the man tried to dart between them.

"There was a bit of a scuffle," he continued. "One of the policeman held him down and another either kicked or threw the suitcase away. More police arrived and there was another tussle."

An Army bomb disposal team was called in to deal with the man's suitcase.

As it turned out, there were no explosives in the suitcase or in the man's car, according to authorities. Normal operations resumed at Manchester Airport about three hours later. The investigation continues into how the man got onto the tarmac in the first place.

FMI: www.manchesterairport.co.uk