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Virgin flight turns back as passenger allegedly runs naked through plane

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A Virgin flight from Perth to Melbourne has been turned around an hour into its journey after a “male passenger suddenly went bananas” and allegedly ran naked through the aircraft.

An anonymous caller told 3AW’s Rumour File the passenger started running up the aisles and banging on the cockpit doors during the flight VA696 on Monday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Naked man sparks mid-air emergency on Virgin flight.

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“Two air marshals had to restrain and handcuff the individual until they landed,” he told the program.

Passengers told 7NEWS a female crew member was knocked over as the man ran through business class.

He was later pictured handcuffed and lying face down in the aisle.

A man has sparked chaos on a Melbourne-bound plane after allegedly running naked through the aircraft.A man has sparked chaos on a Melbourne-bound plane after allegedly running naked through the aircraft.
A man has sparked chaos on a Melbourne-bound plane after allegedly running naked through the aircraft. Credit: 7NEWS

In a statement to 7NEWS.com.au, Virgin confirmed the flight returned to Perth due to the “disruptive passenger”.

“On arrival in Perth, the aircraft was met by the Australian Federal Police and the disruptive guest was offloaded,” Virgin Australia said.

“The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority and we sincerely apologise to guests impacted.”

The AFP also confirmed the incident, saying the man was arrested after he “allegedly ran naked through the aircraft mid-flight and knocked a crew member to the floor”.

The man remains in hospital where he is being assessed and he is expected to be summonsed to appear before Perth Magistrates Court on June 14.

The charges he faces are yet to be finalised.

The 3AW caller said the flight had already been delayed by 90 minutes and, while some people caught another Melbourne-bound flight, others are still “stranded in the west”.

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