Man apprehended after freeing himself from restraints and sprinting across runway at Terminal 2
An inquiry is under way into how an immigration detainee who was being deported from the UK managed to free himself from restraints and started to run, close to the takeoff paths of planes at Heathrow airport.
The man, who was captured on film sprinting across the runway at Terminal 2 on Sunday, was about to be deported to India but managed to break free from the guards holding on to his waist restraint belt while escorting him to the plane.
A spokesperson for Mitie, which holds a Home Office contract for removing people from the UK, told the Guardian: “An investigation into the incident is under way. The individual was quickly apprehended, reboarded the flight, and was handed over to the relevant authorities on landing.”
The incident came to light because it was captured by a plane spotter and aired on the YouTube channel Big Jet TV.
