Oz prisoner tries to escape mid-air by unlocking plane door

MELBOURNE - An Australian prisoner, who was being escorted by a single police officer from Palm Island to Townsville by flight, is said to have tried making a mid-air escape by opening the safety door of the plane.

The man, 37, who has a lengthy criminal history, was being escorted by a female police officer on the 15-minute flight on October 17, and although he was handcuffed, he still managed to undo his seatbelt, reach across the plane and unlock a safety door.

The officer escorting him was of slight build and she had to struggle to restrain him for the rest of the flight.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the incident was “very concerning”.

“If it wasn’t for the brave efforts of the police officer, everyone could have lost their lives,” the Courier Mail quoted Leavers as saying.

“We need at least two officers on every prisoner escort to avoid these sorts of potentially life-threatening situations,” he stated. (ANI)