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Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Private plane overshoots runway Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Private plane overshoots runway
(about 3 hours later)
Flights have been cancelled after a private plane came off the runway at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.Flights have been cancelled after a private plane came off the runway at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The airport is expected to be closed until at least 17:00 GMT and an inquiry has been launched into what happened when the plane landed at about 06:00. The airport, which has been closed since the plane landed at about 06:00 GMT, said it cannot guarantee it will reopen this evening as a recovery team is struggling to remove the aircraft.
Four people were on board the plane but no-one was hurt, a spokesman for the airport has confirmed. Four people were on board but no-one was hurt.
A source at Liverpool Football Club confirmed the private jet was carrying one of the club's owners, Mike Gordon.A source at Liverpool Football Club confirmed the private jet was carrying one of the club's owners, Mike Gordon.
Mr Gordon, who is the president of Fenway Sports Group, was on a flight from Bedford, Massachusetts to Liverpool to attend a regular meeting at the club.Mr Gordon, who is the president of Fenway Sports Group, was on a flight from Bedford, Massachusetts to Liverpool to attend a regular meeting at the club.
"He was not injured but would like to pass on his appreciation to the staff at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and the emergency services for their amazing work," the source said."He was not injured but would like to pass on his appreciation to the staff at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and the emergency services for their amazing work," the source said.
A spokeswoman for VistaJet added: "We are fully co-operating with the airport and relevant authorities as they investigate further."
A specialist removal team is on site and will use cranes and airbags to remove the plane from the grass.
The plane could not be removed until officials from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch deem it safe to do so, the BBC understands.
More than 9,000 passengers due to fly from the airport have had flights cancelled, delayed or transferred to Manchester Airport.More than 9,000 passengers due to fly from the airport have had flights cancelled, delayed or transferred to Manchester Airport.
Liverpool Airport operations director Paul Staples said the jet which came off the runway remains too close to the landing strip for it to be safe to open it. A specialist removal team and firefighters have been struggling to remove the plane's wheels which are embedded in mud 59m (194ft) at the side of the runway.
He said it was just over 50m (164ft) to one side of the runway. They have been trying to dig out a track with the aim of dragging the plane out on to the runway.
"It is within the runway strip and we can't compromise safety," Mr Staples said. Once the jet is removed, an inspection will be carried out of the runway before the airport can reopen.
Liverpool Airport operations director Paul Staples said the jet was too close to the landing strip to reopen it.
"We can't compromise safety," Mr Staples said, adding runways must have 75m of clear space.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is investigating.
A spokeswoman for VistaJet added: "We are fully co-operating with the airport and relevant authorities."
Passengers due to fly have been advised to contact their airlines for further information.Passengers due to fly have been advised to contact their airlines for further information.
Eric Henderson, from Preston, was due to travel to Amsterdam for work.Eric Henderson, from Preston, was due to travel to Amsterdam for work.
"Our flight was due to leave at 07:30. We noticed at ten to that the flight had been moved to 11:40," he said."Our flight was due to leave at 07:30. We noticed at ten to that the flight had been moved to 11:40," he said.
"There was no explanation until we looked out of the large windows on the concourse and saw all the blue flashing lights.""There was no explanation until we looked out of the large windows on the concourse and saw all the blue flashing lights."
Merrick Nind, from Preston, has also had his flight cancelled. He was due to leave at 7:30. Steven and Kerry Grounds, from Warrington, were due to fly to Amsterdam to celebrate Kerry's 40th birthday.
"We are going to have spent most of the day in an airport which is a bit of a bummer, but these things happen."
Steven and Kerry Grounds, from Warrington, were due to fly out to Amsterdam to celebrate Kerry's 40th birthday.
"I don't think we will be going anywhere, so we're going back home," she said."I don't think we will be going anywhere, so we're going back home," she said.
Three crew and one passenger were on board the plane when it came off the runway after landing. Three crew members and one passenger were on board the plane when it came off the runway after landing.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and can assure customers we are doing all we can to resume services as quickly as possible," an airport spokesman said."We apologise for any inconvenience caused and can assure customers we are doing all we can to resume services as quickly as possible," an airport spokesman said.
Flights arriving from Salzburg, where Liverpool FC played on Tuesday night, the Isle of Man and Dublin have been diverted to Manchester, while planes from Belfast and Amsterdam were cancelled.Flights arriving from Salzburg, where Liverpool FC played on Tuesday night, the Isle of Man and Dublin have been diverted to Manchester, while planes from Belfast and Amsterdam were cancelled.
Liverpool FC flew back to the UK shortly after the match finished, the club has confirmed.Liverpool FC flew back to the UK shortly after the match finished, the club has confirmed.
EasyJet has confirmed six flights have been cancelled and four flights have been re-routed to Manchester due to the runway closure. EasyJet has confirmed six flights have been cancelled and four flights have been re-routed to Manchester.
"Customers on cancelled flights have been given the option of transferring their flight free of charge or receiving a refund," the spokesperson said."Customers on cancelled flights have been given the option of transferring their flight free of charge or receiving a refund," the spokesperson said.
Who is Mike Gordon?Who is Mike Gordon?
Mike Gordon, whose plane left the runway as it landed at Liverpool Airport, is the president of Fenway Sports Group, the owners of Liverpool FC. Mike Gordon is the president of Fenway Sports Group, the owners of Liverpool FC.
He is a director of the club and is one of three board members who own more than a 10% share, alongside principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner.He is a director of the club and is one of three board members who own more than a 10% share, alongside principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner.
He is also a director of the Boston Red Sox baseball club.He is also a director of the Boston Red Sox baseball club.
Mr Gordon lives in Massachusetts with his wife and four children.Mr Gordon lives in Massachusetts with his wife and four children.