Man apprehended trying to open emergency exit on airborne Boeing 737 plane to Hat Yai

A 30-year-old passenger on board a Lion Air flight from Don Mueang airport to Hat Yai was apprehended by three police officers as he tried to open an emergency exit of the plane while it was airborne in a bid to commit suicide.

The bizarre incident happened Wednesday but was revealed yesterday by Klong Hoi Khong police in Hat Yai.

According to the police, the incident occurred on Flight SA 8542 of Lion Air while the Boeing 737 plane was flying above Chumphon province yesterday at 10,000 feet altitude with 160 passengers and crews on board.

One male passenger rose up to his feet, walked towards the emergency exit and tried to open the exit door.

The sudden event caused a panic among the horrified passengers who saw him trying to open the door.

But three passengers who later identified themselves as police managed to overpower him and force him back to his seat and kept him under control.

As the plane landed safely at Hat Yai half an hour later, Klong Hoi Khong station police were called in to take the man in custody.

He was identified only as Amnart.

He told the police that he is a Phatthalung resident and worked as a mechanics.

He admitted to trying to open the emergency exit door in bid to suicide because he was deeply disappointed in love and couldn’t sleep for the past 4-5 nights. He said it was his instant thought to open the door to jump from the plane.

Police booked him in custody for violating safety regulation and resisting the order of the pilot on airborne plane.

Thai PBS

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