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Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Private plane overshoots runway | Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Private plane overshoots runway |
(32 minutes later) | |
Flights were cancelled after a private plane came off the runway at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. | |
Four people were on board but no-one was hurt when the plane landed at about 06:00 GMT. | |
A source at Liverpool FC confirmed the private jet had flown from the United States and was carrying one of the club's owners, Mike Gordon. | A source at Liverpool FC confirmed the private jet had flown from the United States and was carrying one of the club's owners, Mike Gordon. |
The airport tweeted at 23:20 to say that "normal operations have now resumed". | |
More than 9,000 passengers had flights cancelled, delayed or transferred to Manchester Airport and many 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. | |
"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. |
The airport - which has apologised to passengers - issued several updates, saying work to deal with the problems was continuing, before later confirming that normal operations had resumed. | |
A specialist removal team and firefighters had been struggling all day to remove the plane's wheels, which became embedded in mud 59m (194ft) to the side of the runway. | |
They had been trying to dig out a track with the aim of dragging the plane out on to the runway. | |
Once the jet was removed, a runway inspection had to be carried out before the airport could reopen. | |
Liverpool Airport operations director Paul Staples earlier 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 were 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. |
Flights arriving from Salzburg, where Liverpool FC played on Tuesday night, the Isle of Man and Dublin were 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 earlier confirmed that six flights had been cancelled and four flights had 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. |