Port Authority: Man threatened to kill self on flight to Kennedy Airport
JetBlue airplanes at their gates at Kennedy Airport in a 2013 file photo. Credit: AP
A man authorities described as emotionally disturbed was taken into custody Thursday morning at Kennedy Airport after wrapping a belt around his neck and locking himself in the bathroom of an in-flight JetBlue airplane, officials said.
The Oakland, California, man, 37, whom authorities did not identify, also made statements "saying he was going to kill himself" as JetBlue Flight 168, which originated in Oakland, neared New York City, said Port Authority spokesman Joseph Pentangelo.
The man "had been drinking, allegedly," Pentangelo said. The bathroom door was opened at 8 a.m., about 20 minutes after the plane taxied to its gate, Pentangelo said.
No injuries were reported and the man was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for evaluation after Port Authority police met him at the gate at Terminal 5. He was not charged with any crime.
A spokeswoman for JetBlue confirmed the incident could not provide additional details.
Powerful nor'easter slamming Long Island ... Wires down in Malverne ... LIRR doesn't expect major disruptions ... What's forecast for the rest of the day
Powerful nor'easter slamming Long Island ... Wires down in Malverne ... LIRR doesn't expect major disruptions ... What's forecast for the rest of the day
