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Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Private plane overshoots runway | Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Private plane overshoots runway |
(about 1 hour 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 17:00 GMT and an inquiry has been launched into what happened when the plane landed at about 06:00. | The airport is expected to be closed until 17:00 GMT and an inquiry has been launched into what happened when the plane landed at about 06:00. |
Four people were on board the plane but no-one was hurt, a spokesman for the airport has confirmed. | Four people were on board the plane but no-one was hurt, a spokesman for the airport has confirmed. |
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 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. | 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 Accident Investigation Board deem it safe to do so, the BBC understands. | The plane could not be removed until officials from the Air Accident Investigation Board 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. | |
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. | |
He said it was just over 50m (164ft) to one side of the runway. | |
"It is within the runway strip and we can't compromise safety," Mr Staples said. | |
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. | Merrick Nind, from Preston, has also had his flight cancelled. He was due to leave at 7:30. |
"We are going to have spent most of the day in an airport which is a bit of a bummer, but these things happen." | "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. | 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. | |
Three crew and one passenger were on board the plane when it came off the runway after landing. | Three crew 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 due to the runway closure. |
"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, whose plane left the runway as it landed at Liverpool Airport, 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. |
Have you been affected by the delays? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you been affected by the delays? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or please use the form below: | Or please use the form below: |