Bomb hoax man arrested at Manchester Airport sectioned under Mental Health Act

A 47-year-old man was detained on Tuesday and has now been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

13:20 06 August 2014

Earlier this week, a 47-year-old man was arrested following the suspected bomb hoax on a Manchester-bound flight. He has now been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

The unidentified male was arrested by armed forces as soon as the plane arrived at Manchester Airport under escort by an RAF Typhoon jet.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Following his arrest he was assessed by medical staff and again by a mental health team.

"He was subsequently sectioned to allow for a fuller assessment and appropriate treatment."

The alert was sparked by fears of “a possible device on board” after a note was passed to cabin crew stating that there was an explosive device hidden somewhere on the aircraft. However, authorities who searched the plane declared it safe and clean.

Some of the passengers on board the flight described seeing the fighter from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire come close to the civilian aircraft as it flew towards Manchester while some of them posted videos and pictures online.