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Stowaway Found Hiding Inside Landing Gear Of American Airlines Plane

Stowaway Found Hiding Inside Landing Gear Of American Airlines Plane

The man, 26, is said to have been hiding in the plane for the two and a half hour journey from Guatemala to Miami

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

A Guatemalan man has been discovered in the landing gear of an American Airlines plane which had flown from his home country to Miami. Here is the moment he was found:

The unnamed 26-year-old stowaway had been hiding for the duration of the flight which takes around two and a half hours. After he was found he was taken to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Reports also suggest that he was admitted to hospital for evaluation but was unharmed.

The CBP confirmed the incident had in fact taken place and footage shows the man sitting beside the plane wearing jeans, a t-shirt, a jacket and a pair of boots.

The man, who is looking dazed, is then asked whether he wants water. On the video, a person can be heard saying: "Poor man. He just got here. Let him sit. Water. Bring water for him," before asking: "Are you okay? How do you feel?"

The man has been taken to hospital.
The man has been taken to hospital.

According to the MailOnline, the man was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital but it's believed he's now been released to CBP custody where he will likely face a removal order.

In a statement, CBP said: "US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Miami International Airport apprehended a 26-year-old man who attempted to evade detection in the landing gear compartment of an aircraft arriving from Guatemala Saturday morning."

They added: "The individual was evaluated by emergency medical services and taken to a hospital for medical assessment. This incident remains under investigation."

American Airlines also released a statement which gave away little detail and said the flight was 'met by law enforcement due to a security issue'.

Reports suggest that most commercial aircraft fly at altitudes which tend to be between 30,000 and 42,000 feet and therefore reach temperatures of -54 F (-47C). There would also be extremely low levels of oxygen.

Luis Chinchilla, a strategic security consultant, told Guatemalan outlet LaHora.gt: "I imagine that all that part where the landing gear goes does not have the same pressurization as the area where the passengers go.

"On airplanes, for example, the luggage area has certain conditions; however, they must also have a part of the compartments where they carry pets. The air is more tolerable there."

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Topics: Viral, News, USA