Man falls out of plane after opening emergency exit just before take off

A flight was grounded for more than six hours after a passenger opened an emergency exit and threw himself onto the tarmac just before takeoff.

More than 300 passengers due to take a 13-hour Air Canada flight from Toronto found themselves stranded when the traveller opened a cabin door and stepped out of the plane, falling 20 feet (six metres) to the ground and injuring himself.

Pictures taken after the leap show a man sitting upright on the runway with airport staff urging him to stay still.

Local media reports that the passenger, who has not been named, was rushed to hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.

Air safety officials at Toronto Pearson International Airport are investigating the baffling incident on 8th January.

A spokesperson for the airline said: ‘The passenger had boarded the aircraft normally but headed directly for the cabin door instead of taking their seat.’

The statement went on: ‘The passenger sustained injuries falling to the tarmac.

‘We can confirm all of our approved boarding and cabin operating procedures were followed.”

Flight AC056 eventually took off after a delay of around six hours.

None of the flight’s 318 other passengers or any member of the cabin crew were injured.

There have been no updates on the passenger’s condition and it is currently unclear why he opened the door.

A spokesperson for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) told Global News it was aware of the incident.

‘We worked with the airline, Peel Regional Police and Peel EMS to provide support and to determine the immediate needs,’ the spokesperson said.

Peel police told the publication they received a call for the incident around 9 p.m.

‘Through investigation, it was determined that the individual was in a state of crisis when this incident occurred and suffered relatively minor injuries from falling onto the tarmac,’ they said.

The investigation continues.

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