NATIONAL : In an unfortunate mid-air incident on Tuesday, a SpiceJet passenger was stuck inside an aircraft lavatory for around an hour due to malfunctioning of the door lock. The incident occurred onboard the flight from Mumbai to Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Following the take-off of the flight at 2 am on Tuesday, a passenger sitting in the 14th row went to the toilet and got stuck inside during the entire flight for over an hour.

A spokesperson of the airline confirmed the incident and said in a statement, “On 16 January, a passenger unfortunately got stuck inside the lavatory for about an hour on SpiceJet flight operating from Mumbai to Bengaluru, while the aircraft was airborne due to a malfunction in the door lock. Throughout the journey, our crew provided assistance and guidance to the passengers. Upon arrival, an engineer opened the lavatory door, and the passenger received immediate medical support.”

The airline crew said that an engineer would come to open the stuck lavatory door as soon as the aircraft landed. He was also asked to sit on the closed commode during landing.

“Sir we tried our best to open the door. However, we could not open it. Do not panic. We are landing in a few minutes. So please close the commode and sit on it, and secure yourself. As soon as the main door is open, engineer will come. Do not panic,” read one of the handwritten notes passed to the trapped passenger.

Upon the flight’s arrival at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, an engineer was rushed to address the malfunctioning lavatory door, which opened successfully with the help of the engineering team, according to the spokesperson.

“Upon arrival, an engineer opened the lavatory door, and the passenger received immediate medical support. SpiceJet regrets and apologizes for the inconvenience caused to the passenger,” the airline said.

SpiceJet added that the passenger is being provided a full refund of the fare. (with inputs from the agency)