A Richmond councillor is demanding reassurances from airlines that residents will be safe from stowaways falling from aircraft and landing on them.
Councillor Tony Arbour called on all airline carriers, particularly Heathrow, and the government to tighten up their security and ensure residents’ safety after a South African stowaway plunged to his death in Richmond last Friday.
This is the third tragic incident to happen since 2012 – the last was two years ago when a man again concealed himself in the aircraft’s wheels before take-off and his body fell in East Sheen, landing in a residential area and on a car.
Councillor Arbour, Richmond Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “If this is really the case, that someone could be so unhappy with their life that they had to get away, then it really is a tragic situation.
“With a possible expanding Heathrow, and more flights coming in and out of the airport, someone really needs to take responsibility.
“I demand reassurance from the government, Heathrow and all airline carriers that they are going to sort out their clear security issues.
“How long will it be before someone falls onto a resident?
“Three incidents in three years is three too many. Someone needs to take responsibility for this breach and guarantee the safety of people in Richmond upon Thames, before any more tragic deaths occur.”
The police are still investigating the incident.
Image courtesy of GLA Conservatives via YouTube, with thanks
