A disabled boy accidentally ended up going through the baggage handling system at Stansted Airport.
The Essex airport has now launched an inquiry after the boy - who has down's syndrome - ended up on the conveyor belt. The boy, aged seven, was travelling to Lourdes with a 32-strong party of handicapped children for a pilgrimage.
A spokesman for Stansted Airport confirmed the boy clambered over the unmanned Ryanair desk while his carers checked in the luggage and wheelchairs. He then climbed over barriers and went inside the tunnel area, which went into the main baggage area, the spokesman said.
He travelled approximately one-third of a mile on a conveyor belt and staff from airport contractors Groundstar diverted what they thought was a package to a carousel for inspection after he went through an X-ray machine.
It was then realised by staff the package was actually the boy. The boy's ordeal ended only after baggage-handling staff heard his screams as a heavy suitcase fell on top of him and the emergency stop button was activated.
Published Wednesday April 14, 2004
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