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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Alaska Airlines flight returns to Sea-Tac after passengers hear person trapped in cargo hold

An Alaska Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles made an emergency return to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport today after passengers and the pilot heard someone banging beneath the airplane. After landing, an airport ramp agent was found trapped inside the front cargo hold. The Seattle-based airline said that hold is pressurized and temperature controlled. Alaska Airlines said the agent, an employee of Menzies Aviation, said he had fallen asleep in the cargo hold. The plane was in the air for 14 minutes. The ramp agent “appeared okay,” but was taken to a hospital as a precaution, Alaska Airlines said in a news release. Passengers told Seattle TV stations that they could hear screaming beneath them. The airline is investigating, the release said.