Flight Attendant News

From The Age, an Australian publication, we learn that a 30-year old Jetstar Airways flight attendant is credited with preventing an agitated passenger from leaping out of an aircraft door to the tarmac. The man surely would have been injured if he had not been stopped by flight attendant Belinda Cohen, with the assistance of two other passengers.

"She's very heroic," Jetstar general manager of corporate relations Simon Westaway said today.

"She stopped him from potentially injuring himself."

The passenger, a man in his early 20s, became distressed while the aircraft was still on the ground preparing for take-off. The plane returned to the terminal so that the passenger could disembark.

He was taken to the front of the aircraft and lunged to open the door after it had been disarmed, but before stairs were put in place, said Mr Westaway.

Two passengers, including Victorian grandfather and former police superintendent Don Grigg, helped Ms Cohen restrain the man.

"She saved his life," Mr Grigg told the Mercury newspaper.

Mr Westaway said Jetstar was "very thankful" to the passengers who assisted.

...

Ms Cohen is on compassionate leave with a sore back but Mr Westaway said she was in good spirits.

"She feels no malice against the individual," he said.

Mr. Westaway said that the young man will have to provide a medical certificate if he wishes to fly on Jetstar again.

Source: Flight attendant saved leaping passenger - The Age, Australia

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