Plane diversions are hardly a rare thing and are usually due to a mechanical issue or because a passenger requires urgent medical attention.
But have you ever heard of a flight being diverted because a passenger became stuck in the bathroom?
This is what happened to United Airlines flight UA1554 which was travelling from Washington DC to San Francisco on Wednesday evening.
The plane had to be diverted to Denver where passengers eventually disembarked and boarded a new flight.
🔀 DIVERSION LAV EMERGENCY
— Tom Podolec Aviation (@TomPodolec) September 26, 2019
United #UA1554
Washington to San Francisco
Diverted to Denver. Passengers reported a person became locked/stuck in the rear lavatory. Emergency services attended. Person now out. Passenger tells me they are all deplaning.https://t.co/zCiny25mjK pic.twitter.com/LsOvgKWzzF
Taylor Kimber, a passenger on the flight, videoed the scenes as crew and passengers tried to gain access to the bathroom to release the person who was stuck.
She said the Denver Fire Department arrived once they had landed to free the person who was unharmed.
Well folks it’s never a dull moment on @united , we have to make an “emergency landing” in Denver because a passenger got stuck in the bathroom. You can’t make this up...also the Wi-Fi is crappy and there is no way for me to charge my phone, happy travels. #unitedairlines pic.twitter.com/FHieakiO7Z
— TK (@taylorkkimber) September 26, 2019
She kept her Twitter followers updated on the "random adventure" with the official comments passengers were receiving via SMS from United Airlines while the incident was playing out.
One of these messages from United stated: "The maintenance team will need more time to complete their work, and we are currently in the process of assigning your flight a new plane ... we know this delay wasn't part of your travel plans, so we appreciate you hanging in there."
United Airlines responded directly to her on Twitter, saying: "Thanks so much for your patience and understanding today, Taylor!"
Thanks so much for your patience and understanding today, Taylor! ^KF
— United Airlines (@united) September 26, 2019
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