Exclusive

Cabin crew 'conduct mid-air search after scorpion runs loose' during transatlantic flight

18 February 2023, 22:11 | Updated: 19 February 2023, 02:02

Stock image of a BA flighton on final approach to Philadelphia International Airport.
Stock image of a BA flighton on final approach to Philadelphia International Airport. Picture: Alamy

By Chris Samuel

Passengers were forced to leave their seats after a scorpion broke free during a transatlantic flight, as cabin crew members searched for the creature.

Luke Taylor, 25, was on a flight from Austin, Texas to London Heathrow when he noticed passengers getting up, assuming they were using the toilet before the plane began its descent.

He said soon learnt a creepy crawly had escaped on the British Airways flight, prompting the crew to conduct a mid-air hunt for the arachnid.

Mr Taylor, from Wrexham, said: "It was like 45 minutes before we were landing. I was sitting in the middle rows, and then on the right hand side, like six people got up on the right hand side.

"I just thought they were going to the toilet before the message came on to put the seatbelts on for landing.

Read more: Rishi Sunak warns deal between Britain and the EU "by no means done"

Read more: US accuses Russia of committing 'crimes against humanity' during Ukraine invasion

"But then four cabin crew members came over, I couldn't really tell what they were saying, but there was a guy I'm presuming was from Austin, but was definitely from Texas, who just goes: 'that's not like any scorpion I've seen in Texas'.

"The only two people who saw it was that guy, and a woman that was sitting on his row.

Stock image of a BA flighton on final approach to Philadelphia International Airport
Stock image of a BA flighton on final approach to Philadelphia International Airport. Picture: Alamy

"The cabin crew were trying to search for it for about half an hour.

"They couldn't find it, and they had to move everyone in that area to empty seats scattered across the plane."

Read more: Outrage after TikTok video circulates showing amateur sleuth 'digging in woodland near where Nicola Bulley vanished'

Read more: Hollywood star Keanu Reeves has newly-found fungus-killing compound named after him

Thankfully, no customers were injured in the bizarre incident, and all passengers disembarked the aircraft normally.

British Airways said in a statement: "The safety of our customers is our highest priority and we’re sorry for any concern caused by this highly unusual event."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

An RAF Typhoon FGR4 takes off at RAF Coningsby, Coningsby, United Kingdom.

RAF fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft flying near NATO airspace

British cyclist Barry Hoban receives his trophy after winning the 18th stage of the Tour de France in Bordeaux, 18th July 1968.

Tributes pour in as Tour de France legend Barry Hoban dies aged 85

Pope Francis stands on the main balcony of St. Peter's basilica

Pope Francis delivers Easter blessing after battle with double pneumonia

Russia launched a wave of missile strikes at Ukraine overnight.

Russian assault continues as Zelenskyy accuses Putin of hitting Ukraine 446 times since 'Easter truce' began

c

Captain Tom's daughter slashes asking price of £2m mansion yet again after previously pulling home from market

A view of the sign for Aston Wood Golf Club in Birmingham, where a van being chased by West Midlands Police crashed on Friday morning. A woman has been left with life-threatening injuries after the incident. Picture date: Friday April 11, 2025.

Six men arrested following woman's death after being hit by van on golf course during police chase

Police found the body of missing Cardiff woman Paria Veisi following the arrest of two individuals - one of whom was charged with murder.

Police find body of missing Cardiff woman Paria Veisi - as man charged with her murder

Murdered transgender teenager Brianna Ghey's school has banned mobile phones during the day in a move which has "reduced" pupils' stress levels, the headteacher said.

Murdered transgender teenager Brianna Ghey's school bans mobile phones to 'reduce' pupils' stress levels

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, second leg match at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain. Picture date: Wednesday April 16, 2025.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta vows to keep Liverpool waiting for title

Zelenskyy accuses Putin of violating 'Easter truce' following Russia's pledge to cease 'all military operations' in Ukraine

Zelenskyy accuses Putin of violating 'Easter truce' following Russia's pledge to cease 'all military operations'

FILE - Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, Israel, on Oct. 27, 2024. (Gil Cohen-Magen/Pool Photo via AP, File)

'We will not surrender': Netanyahu insists Israel will continue Gaza war 'until Hamas are no longer able to control' strip

File photo dated 11/09/18 of models of a man and woman standing on a pile of coins and bank notes. More than a third (35%) of Gen-Z adults aged 18 to 21 worry about their finances every day, according to research for a major bank.

One third of 18 to 21-year-olds in the UK ‘worry about money every day’, study finds

Trans rights protestors deface Millicent Fawcett statue as thousands take to streets following Supreme Court ruling

Trans rights protestors deface Millicent Fawcett statue as thousands take to UK streets following Supreme Court ruling

Emergency services are at the scene of a multi-vehicle crash on the A1.

Personal trainer who caused A1 police crash 'drove to work two days later' despite having no license

Clodagh Rodgers, auch Cloda Rogers, Sängerin aus Nordirland, 1971 sang sie für Großbritannien beim Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, hier bei einem Auftritt, 1971. Clodagh Rodgers, aka Cloda Rogers, Singer from Northern Ireland, in 1971.

Eurovision star Clodagh Rodgers dies aged 78

Nicola Coughlan poses for photographers upon arrival at the BFI Flare Opening Gala for the film 'The Wedding Banquet' in London, Wednesday, March. 19, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Nicola Coughlan raises more than £100,000 for trans charity following trans gender ruling