An American Airlines jet made an emergency diversion to Bermuda in the early hours of yesterday after gas and oil began leaking into the passenger cabin from an overhead compartment.

The emergency fire crew at the Airport was called out to meet the Airbus 360 when it landed shortly before 1 a.m., but it touched down safely.

The plane, with 243 passengers, was flying from John F. Kennedy Airport, New York, to San Juan, Puerto Rico, when crew noticed the mixture leaking from a consignment of motorcycle parts.

Air traffic control in New York contacted Harbour Radio, which arranged for the emergency fire crew to be called.

Airport spokesman Michael Osborn said the plane was able to take off safely at 2.30 a.m. and resume its journey to San Juan.