Second Australian hijack bid in a week foiled

A man has been arrested in Australia today after he tried to hijack a domestic flight as it was about to take off from Melbourne…

A man has been arrested in Australia today after he tried to hijack a domestic flight as it was about to take off from Melbourne airport.

The Virgin Blue plane was bound for city of Brisbane.

Channel 7 said the man used a medical instrument as a weapon, but that no more details were immediately available.

Australian police are questioning the man and searching the plane.

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Local media said the suspect was arrested after allegedly making verbal threats, which were overheard by other passengers as the aircraft taxied onto the runway.

Only a week ago, another passenger tried to access the cockpit of a Tasmania bound Qantas flight, ten minutes after taking off from Melbourne airport.

The man, who used two sharp wooden stakes to charge towards the cockpit, was fought off by flight attendants and other passengers. They subdued him while the plane swiftly turned back to Melbourne and landed safely.

Mr David Mark Robinson faces life in prison after being charged with attempted hijacking and committing violence against a crew member. He appears in court again on August 8th.

AP