BC WestJet flight turned around due to 'unruly' and 'disruptive' passenger

Mounties in the northern part of the province say a WestJet flight was turned around due to an “unruly” passenger.

A news release says the flight was turned back on Monday around noon for an emergency landing.

Officers with the Terrace RCMP received a report of the allegedly “disruptive” passenger onboard.

Officers attended the Terrace Regional Airport runway.

“Officers were advised that the passenger had been disruptive, failing to remain in his seat during take-off, showing signs of paranoia and attempting to open the exits,” says the release.

According to the release, other passengers on the plane helped restrain the man until the plane landed back in Terrace and police boarded.

Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.

“The man admitted to having consumed an illegal substance prior to departure,” says Cst. Kelly Cates, media relations officer.

The man was arrested for causing a disturbance and taken into custody.

However, officers believed him to be experiencing a mental health crisis and apprehended him under the Mental Health Act.

He was then taken to the local hospital for assessment.