Tantrum toddler 'thrown off' plane

Tantrum toddler 'thrown off' plane

British Airways said the pilot acted for safety reasons

A two-year-old boy was escorted off a British Airways plane along with his grandparents after he had a tantrum just before take-off.

The family of Marcello Ferrand, from Kensal Rise, north-west London say he panicked after the aircraft crew tried to fit him with a seatbelt.

Police were called and fellow passengers on the flight to Heathrow from Milan had to wait while the family was escorted off and their luggage was removed.

A BA spokeswoman said the crew had to ensure seatbelts were worn and the captain decided to remove the family for safety reasons.

'Quite aggressive'

She said as the plane was taxiing towards the runway on Sunday, one of the 100 passengers on board notified staff that a woman and child did not have their seatbelts fastened.

It's not like he was Dennis the Menace taking the plane apart

Peter Van Schalwyk

And when staff asked 70-year-old Mariella DeNatale to fasten her own and her grandson's seatbelts she refused to do so.

Marcello then became scared and hid under his seat.

Ms DeNatale's husband Peter Van Schalwyk, 64, said: "Three cabin staff crowded round him and were quite aggressive.

Legal requirement

"When one appeared with a special child seatbelt, Marcello took fright and hid under the seat.

"He was scared. He cried a bit but he was not screaming madly or anything.

"It's not like he was Dennis the Menace taking the plane apart."

The BA spokeswoman said: "It is a legal requirement for adults and children to wear a seatbelt for take-off and landing."

She said the captain decided he had no option but to turn aircraft back.