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Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Private plane overshoots runway Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Private plane overshoots runway
(about 2 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, which has been closed since the plane landed 15 hours ago, says it cannot guarantee it will reopen before Friday but expects to issue an update at 21:00 GMT. The airport, which has been closed since the plane landed 15 hours ago, says it cannot guarantee it will reopen before Friday but expects to issue an update at 22:00 GMT.
Four people were on board but no-one was hurt.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.
More than 9,000 passengers have had flights cancelled, delayed or transferred to Manchester Airport and many have booked into hotels for the night.More than 9,000 passengers have had flights cancelled, delayed or transferred to Manchester Airport and many have booked into hotels for the night.
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.
At 19:55 the airport - which has apologised to passengers - tweeted that work to deal with the problems continued. At 21:29 the airport - which has apologised to passengers - tweeted that work to deal with the problems continued.
A specialist removal team and firefighters has been struggling all day to remove the plane's wheels, which became embedded in mud 59m (194ft) to the side of the runway.A specialist removal team and firefighters has been struggling all day to remove the plane's wheels, which became embedded in mud 59m (194ft) to the 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.They have been trying to dig out a track with the aim of dragging the plane out on to the runway.
Once the jet is removed, a runway inspection will be carried out before the airport can reopen.Once the jet is removed, a runway inspection will be carried out before the airport can reopen.
Liverpool Airport operations director Paul Staples said the jet was too close to the landing strip to use the runway.Liverpool Airport operations director Paul Staples said the jet was too close to the landing strip to use the runway.
"We can't compromise safety," Mr Staples said, adding runways must have 75m of clear space."We can't compromise safety," Mr Staples said, adding runways must have 75m of clear space.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is investigating.The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is investigating.
A spokeswoman for VistaJet added: "We are fully co-operating with the airport and relevant authorities."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."
Steven and Kerry Grounds, from Warrington, were due to fly to Amsterdam to celebrate Kerry's 40th birthday.Steven and Kerry Grounds, from Warrington, were due to fly 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 members 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.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 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.