Melbourne, Australia – A tense situation unfolded at Melbourne Airport today as a passenger on an arriving Jetstar flight triggered the emergency slide after opening the plane’s emergency exit door while still on the tarmac.
Witnesses report the man exhibiting agitated behavior and pacing frantically in the moments leading up to the incident, despite flight attendants’ attempts to calm him and urge him back to his seat.
The plane, having already landed and parked at the gate, had its emergency slide automatically deployed when the man opened the door. He then proceeded to walk onto the wing before being apprehended by ground staff.
In a statement, Jetstar confirmed the incident, stating: “We can confirm that a passenger opened the emergency exit door after arrival into Melbourne, which automatically deployed the slide. The plane was parked at the gate at the time.”
The airline also confirmed the passenger’s arrest by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The AFP spokesperson reported that the man received initial medical assessment by ambulance officers at the airport before being transferred to a hospital for further evaluation.