Alleged Immigration Detainee Freed Himself from Restraints Before Boarding

A man who was reportedly being deported from the UK to India escaped from his restraints while being escorted to an aircraft, beginning a several-minute goose chase around Heathrow Airport (LHR) grounds. More than six personnel were dragged into the chaos before he was apprehended.

"Working with partners, we have quickly resolved an incident at the airport involving an individual who accessed the airfield taxiway,” a Heathrow spokesperson explained. "The individual has been removed from the airport. The airport continues to operate as normal and passengers are travelling as planned."

The detainee was wearing a waist restraint belt and was being escorted to the plane by guards. During the walk, he was somehow able to get free from the men’s hold and begin sprinting across the movement area at Heathrow’s Terminal 2.

Four security personnel quickly moved to chase him, but were unable to catch up on their own. Around a minute and a half later, at least two more staff members arrived in a van to assist. The escapee was dragged to the ground while the confused, probably out of breath, guards waited for police officers to help.

The runaway passenger eventually ended up in the back of a Metropolitan Police vehicle. He was reportedly put back on the aircraft and delivered to relevant authorities once the flight was complete.

The incident quickly gained traction since a lucky planespotter was able to capture the whole chase on camera and post it on YouTube. In the background, he can be heard asking, "What is going on? Isn't there anyone fit enough to take him down?"

Luckily, the man did not make it far enough from the Terminal to delay operations or cause an incursion.

FMI: www.heathrow.com