British tourist dies in ‘plunge from aircraft door onto runway at Turkish airport

A 30-year-old British tourist had lost his life after allegedly plunging from a passenger aircraft door onto a runway at Turkish airport. 

The man had been waiting for a flight home for three days after losing his ticket. Staff were reportedly trying to remove Andrew Paul Westlake, from the aircraft when he fell 15ft from an exit on to the concrete at Dalaman airport in south-west Turkey.

Mr Westlake, believed to be from Stanley in County Durham, died in hospital a short time after the incident on Tuesday.

 

A Facebook page suggests he lived in Stanley and was a former dispatcher for glass manufacturer Clayton Glass. Pictures show him smiling and holding a baby.

Hurriyet newspaper reported he argued with cabin crew after boarding a flight at 3pm and was ordered off the aircraft as a risk to flight safety.

A nearby private hospital found the unconscious passenger had broken ribs as a result of the fall.

Paramedics took him to hospital but he died later from his injuries in the early hours of the morning.

Police have launched an investigation into the death.

We are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Turkey and are in touch with the local authorities, a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.

source: Daily Mail