The Toronto police have arrested a man for mischief after he reportedly told a plane full of people bound for Jamaica that he had coronavirus, forcing it to return to Toronto.
The WestJet flight, headed to Montego Bay, departed around 10 a.m. and was about halfway there when the man stood up and told crew and passengers he had the virus.
The pilot radioed back and returned the flight to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. The plane landed at around 2:10 p.m. where the suspect was arrested.
The 29-year-old Ontario man has since been charged with mischief. He will appear in court on March 9 in Brampton.
WestJet apologized to the 243 passengers affected by “this unfortunate situation.” They added the plane crew followed all protocols for infectious disease on board, including sequestering the man.
Police say they believe the incident was a prank and WestJet said the claim the man has coronavirus was “unfounded.”
Two flights were cancelled due to the incident on Monday and WestJet said they would be adding an extra flight on Tuesday, both to and from Montego Bay, for those affected.
I’m absolutely delighted and proud of how the Jamaican Government is handling the current situation. Kudos
Wonder if a Chiney do that… HE FROM THORNHILL NUFF CHINESE UP DEH
West jet fi turn round and sue him. Also people on board the plane fo sue him as well. What if someone was going to a funeral and missed it because of him foolishness? Dem fi name him n shame him too. Mek him employer see the type a fool they have on payroll and fire him effective immediately. People sick stomach kmt
Imagine seh you all set up your ride to come pick you up at a certain time, now this crosses man who ah pull prank mek the plane have to turn around! Did the other passengers get back a next flight immediately?
One might be upset at first, but after seeing how Kobe and his daughter and others loss their life in a helicopter, a man pulling a prank causing a flight to turn around, shouldn’t be something to pissed anyone off. God works in marvelous ways. No one knew why that man said that or why that plan turned around. 243 lives were save in my eyes.
Met, the offender was a lame ass up and coming comedian who did it to drive online traffic and followers to his social media and gain popularity. Imagine this dude mash up ppl business for his own personal vanity.
Here is the news item from a local station: https://toronto.citynews.ca/2020/02/03/coronavirus-plane-prank/