Passengers on a TUI flight reportedly had to step in to restrain an 'intoxicated' man who tried to open the emergency exit on their plane while it was airborne - telling a terrified family he would see them 'in heaven'. Holidaymakers say they feared for their lives and that screams could be heard during chaotic scenes in the cabin.
Witnesses described seeing the man openly taking a substance resembling cocaine and praying on the floor, before issuing chilling threats towards others on board the plane from Paphos to Manchester. The flight had already been delayed for several hours because of staffing problems before the 'disruptive passenger' forced it to be diverted to Zagreb in Croatia.
After the plane was diverted to Zagreb airport in the early hours of Tuesday (August 16), holidaymakers claim they were left stranded for hours without any food or drink - or any contact from TUI representatives about when they'd be able to go home, the Manchester Evening News reports. Another flight was due to take passengers back to Manchester Airport later in the day, with TUI confirming that the disruptive passenger would not be allowed to board the flight again.
