THUNDER BAY – It was an unexpected stop for passengers on a Westjet flight bound for Toronto. Thunder Bay Police report that “A Westjet flight had to make an unexpected landing in Thunder Bay just after 5:00PM today due to an unruly passenger”.
A male became agitated on a flight which had originated in Vancouver and was scheduled to arrive in Toronto on Saturday evening. The crew of flight 644 restrained the 27 year old man, and the aircraft landed in Thunder Bay without incident. There was an added concern that the man allegedly uttered a threat regarding a bomb.
Thunder Bay Police Service, Airport Operation Specialists of the Thunder Bay International Airport responded along with the O.P.P. Explosive Disposal Unit. As a precaution, passengers on board the Boeing 737 were deplaned and the aircraft was searched. The aircraft and passenger luggage was being checked by police and airport security Saturday night.
The male, who is a Portuguese national, was taken into custody by the Thunder Bay Police Service. He was escorted to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for a medical assessment. The R.C.M.P. will also be investigating this incident.
The 118 passengers of the Westjet flight will spend the night in Thunder Bay until Sunday when it is expected that they will resume their flight to Toronto.
The T.B.P.S. Criminal Investigations Branch will continue the investigation.