Large Man Held Down By Seven

Passengers enroute from Los Angeles to New York Friday were shocked when William Lee stood up and "loudly demanded another beer." The situation soon turned violent.

William Lee, age 48, was returning home to New York on American Airlines flight number Four Friday evening. After his startling announcement, the flight attendants asked him to wait until they got to his row. Then, according to airline spokesman Tim Smith, Lee became "very, very belligerent and loud and disruptive."

Lee was told that they weren't going to serve him any more alcohol, and was unable to be calmed by an attendant. After he pushed her aside, seven male passengers restrained the large man, and helped the crew restrain him with flexible handcuffs. Lee was put back in his seat, but got out again.

This time, the seven passengers held him down on his back until the airplane landed. Smith said he had heard that they were part of a rugby team, but that was unconfirmed.

After landing, Police boarded the plane and began to administer CPR to Lee, who was "in some kind of distress." He was pronounced dead after being removed from the flight.

Prosecutors are investigating the death. A similar situation occurred on a Southwest Airlines flight in 2000 when a 19-year-old man died after being subdued by passengers. No charges were filed in that case.

FMI: www.aa.com