Drunk passenger seen 'screaming, kicking and spitting' charged with assaulting flight attendant after plane diverts

  • Paulette Metuq, 24, detained by Canadian Police and charged with assault
  • One passenger on flight said her screaming was 'like a banshee'
  • As staff restrained the passenger, she is alleged to have assaulted a man  

By John Hutchinson for MailOnline

Published: 12:53 EST, 3 July 2015 | Updated: 13:22 EST, 3 July 2015

A drunk passenger who caused a flight diversion has been charged with assaulting a flight attendant.

Paulette Metuq, 24, was on an Air Canada flight from Ottawa to Vancouver on Wednesday night when her behaviour on board forced the captain to make an unscheduled landing at James Armstrong Richardson Airport, Winnipeg.

Once on the ground she was detained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and charged with assault, causing bodily harm and mischief.

Canadian police officers lead Paulette Metuq off the plane after claims of disruptive behaviour

Canadian police officers lead Paulette Metuq off the plane after claims of disruptive behaviour

Speaking to CBC News, Michelle Howe, who was on the flight, said that the woman was screaming even before the plane departed.

'I turned to my friend and said "it sounds like a banshee screaming in the back. It's really weird". She was uncontrollable, and that's what made me nervous.'

Once the plane was in the air, it is believed that the woman began to kick, scream and spit, and other passengers were forced to move seats. 

CBC News reports that the RCMP said the Nunavut resident assaulted one of the flight attendants trying to restrain her.  

The Air Canada flight was forced to divert to Winnipeg so that Ms Metuq could be removed

The Air Canada flight was forced to divert to Winnipeg so that Ms Metuq could be removed

One passenger has described how the woman was 'screaming like a banshee' on the plane

One passenger has described how the woman was 'screaming like a banshee' on the plane

The male attendant suffered minor injuries that required medical attention, according to police, with nobody else injured in the incident. 

The plane had 118 passengers on board. 

Sgt Bert Paquet of the Manitoba RCMP told MailOnline Travel: 'These incidents onboard planes are always a concern for law enforcement.

'In this specific case, the crew on board the plane did an amazing job of controlling this passenger while ensuring the safety of all the passengers.'

Ms Metuq was remanded in custody, awaiting a court appearance which is schedule for today.

MailOnline Travel has contacted Air Canada for comment and is awaiting a response. 

Passengers were forced to move seats such was the extent of the 24-year-old's behaviour

Passengers were forced to move seats such was the extent of the 24-year-old's behaviour

 

 

 

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