HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, N.L. - An end is finally in sight for passengers who spent about 16 hours on a plane grounded at an airport in frigid Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L.
United Airlines spokeswoman Natalie Noonan says Flight 179 from Newark, N.J., to Hong Kong was diverted to the Goose Bay Airport Saturday night after a passenger experienced a medical emergency.
She says that after the passenger was removed from the plane and taken to hospital, a mechanical issue prevented the plane from taking off and passengers weren't able to get off the plane because there were no border officials working overnight.
Sonjay Dutt, a professional wrestler who was on his way to China for a show, says there was little communication throughout the ordeal, and he and the rest of the 250 passengers were stuck on the plane for about 16 hours as the temperatures outside plunged to -30 C.
"This was a complete nightmare," he told NEWSTALK1010 by email. "The worst disaster I've ever been a part of after flying out every week for close to 20 years. United dropped the ball big time."
Taking off on rescue plane back to Newark after almost 19 hours stranded in Goose Bay.
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
Dutt Tweeted that all the passengers were moved to a rescue plane Sunday afternoon and after a three hour wait, the plane finally took off heading back to where their journey began.
Noonan says United officials will greet the passengers upon their arrival in Newark and provide them compensation after their ordeal.
- With files from Jackie Rosen/NEWSTALK1010