A nerve-wracking moment was seen at Melbourne’s Avalon Airport when a teenage boy with a firearm tried boarding a Jetstar flight. The passengers were aware, and with the situation immediately brought under control, the matter never turned into a disaster.
Teen Attempts to Board with a Gun
The incident was reported at 2:20 PM on Thursday. A 17-year-old male, who was wearing a high-visibility vest and a tool belt, attempted to board a Jetstar plane that had approximately 160 passengers on board. His unusual behavior was immediately noticed by passengers and flight crew members.
When he arrived at the cabin, pandemonium broke out. One alert passenger reacted very fast, subjecting the teenager to a headlock. Within minutes, two other passengers followed to hold him back, disallowing him from taking one step forward. Their quick response saved everyone aboard.
Police Arrive After Intense Struggle
They alerted police, and Victoria Police arrived at the airport at 2:50 PM, about 30 minutes after the dramatic encounter. The passengers had already overpowered the armed teenager. The police arrested him and initiated an investigation into the incident on the spot.
Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Reid commended the courage acts of passengers. “Without doubt, it was a very frightening experience for everyone on the flight. We applaud the brave men and women who stood up and thwarted the attack,” he said.
How Did the Teen Evade Security?
Authorities are trying to determine how the teenager was able to pass through security. Early reports indicate he might have entered the tarmac area by a hole in the airport perimeter fence.
“Whether he broke it himself or discovered it already broken is being investigated,” Reid said. “This is a serious incident, and we are investigating all potential security failures that might have made this possible.”
While the police have not labeled the act as an act of terrorism, they did find its capability to be alarming. Security analysts pointed out that more stringent screening procedures at airports must be followed so that similar incidents could be avoided in the future.
Dramatic Footage Captured Inside the Plane
The passengers on board were able to capture graphic video of the incident. One video, which 7NEWS has seen, captures the dramatic moment when the passengers subdued the suspect. The pilot is heard instructing passengers to leave the plane through the back.
One of the videos shows a passenger placing the teenager in a headlock and comforting him as he tells him, “I’m not strangling you, mate, but you’re not f***ing moving, alright?”
The pilot was also instrumental in securing the weapon. He was filmed kicking the stock of the gun aside so that the suspect would not be able to get his hands on it.
Jetstar Reacts to the Incident
After the incident, Jetstar Airlines reaffirmed its commitment to emergency services. The airline’s spokesperson informed, “The safety of our passengers and crew is our number one priority. We can confirm there were no reported injuries.”
As a precautionary measure, all Avalon Airport operations were halted for some time. Airport officials have started reviewing security protocols to avoid such breaches in the future.
Passengers Praised as Heroes
The passengers are being hailed as heroes for their speed of thought and courage. Experts are stating that what they did most probably saved a disaster.
Security professionals are largely demanding better surveillance of airports and more secure access, particularly in high-risk zones such as the tarmac. The reality that an armed person was able to penetrate airport security is worrying for future threats.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
The authorities are still investigating to ascertain the motive of the teenager. They are also examining how he had obtained the weapon and if he had acted alone.
No one was hurt in the incident, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for heightened security and the role that ordinary passengers can play to ensure public safety.
