Dubai: An elderly man aboard a Chicago-bound Emirates flight from Dubai was restrained when he became unruly mid-flight on Tuesday, confirmed the airline.
When the passenger jet landed in Chicago, the man was handed over to authorities and taken by police to the hospital following the incident, according to media reports in the United States.
An Emirates spokesperson told Gulf News that crew followed the standard protocol to secure the safety of the aircraft and its passengers mid-flight when it physically restrained the man.
“Emirates can confirm that a passenger on flight EK235 from Dubai to Chicago on 23 January had to be restrained by cabin crew due to unruly behaviour.
"The passenger was handed over to the authorities on arrival in Chicago,” said the spokesperson in an emailed statement.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is of the utmost importance and will not be compromised,” the spokesperson said.
A Chicago-based television channel aired a news segment containing allegations by the family that the man — identified as David Okeone, 74 — suffered injuries from the reported skirmish aboard the flight.
The family said in televised interviews that it was the Nigerian man’s first trip to Chicago.
The report said no charges were laid and no police report was recorded by authorities.
