People have been left outraged after video footage emerged of a man being dragged off a United Airlines flight.
The shocking clip was captured by passengers aboard United Express Flight 3411 - which was heading from Chicago to Louisville.
In the video, people can be seen and heard protesting against such heavy-handed tactics for removing a passenger.
Credit: Twitter/Tyler Bridges
The man has been named as 69-year-old grandfather Dr David Dao. He's a Vietnamese-American who specialises in internal medicine. He has five children and one grandchild. Four of his five children are also doctors, reports the Daily Mail.
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He practices in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, which is about 30 miles from Louisville, where the United Airlines flight was due to land.
At one point during the altercation, the doctor's mouth hits an arm rest and starts pouring with blood.
The airline had overbooked the flight and randomly selected passengers to get off so that they could put four members of their crew on in their place.
One of the passengers said that United offered $400 (£321.96) and then $800 (£643.92) vouchers and a hotel stay for passengers to give up their seats, but no-one volunteered.
Credit: Instagram/Christine Dao Gladman
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Dr Dao says he didn't want to leave the plane because he had patients to treat the following morning. Despite his need to be on the plane, officers took him off by force.
But people have reacted angrily after United Airlines CEO, Oscar Munoz sent out a memo to staff which appeared to support the men who removed Dr Dao.
The statement read: "Dear Team, Like you, I was upset to see and hear about what happened last night aboard United Express Flight 3411 headed from Chicago to Louisville.
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While the facts and circumstances are still evolving, especially with respect to why this customer defied Chicago Aviation Security Officers the way he did, to give you a clearer picture of what transpired, I've included below a recap from the preliminary reports filed by our employees.
"As you will read, this situation was unfortunately compounded when one of the passengers we politely asked to deplane refused and it became necessary to contact Chicago Aviation Security Officers to help. Our employees followed established procedures for dealing with situations like this.
"While I deeply regret this situation arose, I also emphatically stand behind all of you, and I want to commend you for continuing to go above and beyond to ensure we fly right. I do, however, believe there are lessons we can learn from this experience, and we are taking a close look at the circumstances surrounding this incident.
"Treating our customers and each other with respect and dignity is at the core of who we are, and we must always remember this no matter how challenging the situation."
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One of the officers involved has been suspended while the incident is being investigated.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Kaylyn DavisTopics: Plane, Doctor, United Airlines