Bermudian helps subdue passenger on Miami flight
A Bermudian traveller became involved in an international incident in Miami yesterday when he helped detain a “disoriented” man.Malik Cann was one of 120 passengers on board American Airlines flight 320 from Montego Bay, Jamaica, when just after landing, another passenger began to cause a disruption.When the suspect, 24-year-old Canadian Ryan Snider, began to rush toward the front of the aircraft, Mr Cann and others reportedly stepped forward and were able to stop him. The flight was met by law enforcement, who took Mr Snider into federal custody.Efforts to contact Mr Cann about the incident were unsuccessful as of press time last night.A spokesman for American Airlines’ parent AMR Corp told Reuters that Snider appeared “disoriented” after he stood up and refused to sit as the plane taxied to its airport gate at around 10.12am Miami time (11.12am Bermuda time).AMR spokesman Tim Smith said: “We had what appeared to be a ‘disoriented’ male passenger who stood up at his seat in the main cabin after landing in Miami as the flight was taxiing in.“He did not obey crew member instructions to sit down and then moved toward the front of the aircraft where he was subdued,” Smith said.Greg Chin, Communications Manager with the Miami International Airport, said: “We were alerted there was an unruly passenger on board, and it is understood some passengers and crew members got involved and detained the individual.“Miami Dade Police arrived on scene and the suspect is now in the custody of the FBI.”An official statement from the FBI confirmed that there were no injuries or damage to the plane, but Mr Snider is expected to to face federal charges, which may include interference with a flight crew.“There appears to be no nexus to terrorism and Snider was not on the “No-Fly” list,” the FBI spokesman said. “It is anticipated that his initial appearance will be Tuesday in federal court in Miami, Florida.”The incident comes just days after a US Airways flight was diverted because a passenger said she had a surgically-implanted device on her body on Tuesday. That same day, another US Airways flight reported a ‘possible flare’ on board as the plane was approaching the Philadelphia Airport.
