S. Lanka probes report of drunk cricketer mid-air antics

A British Airways passenger plane takes off from Heathrow Airport, west of London, on May 24, 2010. Sri Lanka Cricket said Tuesday it will investigate reports a drunk player tried to open a cabin door at 35,000 feet (10,600 metres) during a flight from St Lucia to London. (AFP/File)

COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka Cricket said Tuesday it will investigate reports a drunk player tried to open a cabin door at 35,000 feet (10,600 metres) during a flight from St Lucia to London.

The batsman was seen by other passengers pushing and pulling the door on the plane while searching for the toilet, about two hours out from London's Gatwick airport on Monday, British media have reported.

British Airways (BA) crew members subdued the player, whose actions were causing panic among the plane's 229 passengers, according to the Daily Mail.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said it was "disappointed" with the reported incident and vowed disciplinary action against the batsman if it was proved true.

"An inquiry will be conducted based on the manager's report and disciplinary action will be taken," SLC said in a statement, which did not give details of the incident.

The reports said the player was returning from the West Indies, where the team had been competing.

The cricketer, who is a member of Sri Lanka's 'A' team, has not been named in media reports or by Sri Lanka Cricket.

"During the flight a man got up and tried to go to the toilet. But instead of going to the toilet he tried to open the aircraft door in mid flight," a BA spokesperson was quoted as saying.

"The event was linked to an element of alcohol. He explained his mistake and cabin crew accepted it in good faith."

It added that the airline had reassured passengers that it was impossible to open the pressurised door mid-flight and that at no point was the safety of passengers compromised.