Sangernette Mason, who was prevented from boarding a flight from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to the United States on Saturday, was reportedly suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
This is according to Crime Chief Leslie James, who said yesterday that he was made to understand that she had been exposed to a war situation which led to her disorder.
James also said that it is believed that Mason had such an attack while travelling in the past as an incoming passenger.
A release from CJIA yesterday said Mason was booked to travel to the US on flight BW 484 and presented herself to the Caribbean Airlines (CAL) check-in counter at the CJIA.
According to the CAL officials, the release said, Mason was loud, incoherent and refused to answer any questions to facilitate the check-in process. CJIA added that the supervisor on duty was called in and after evaluating the situation decided that Mason was not fit to travel, since in his opinion she posed a threat to the aircraft and other passengers on the flight.
CJIA said the decision to have Mason stay off the flight triggered a violent reaction and she began throwing shoes and other items she had in her luggage.
On account of this, one of CJIA’s Aviation Security Officers (ASOs) was summoned and CJIA said that despite the officer’s pleadings, attempts to calm the agitated passenger were unsuccessful.
Subsequently, according to CJIA, the Guyana Police Force was called in and officers attempted to escort the Mason out of the check-in area but by this time Mason’s demeanour changed to one of belligerence.
“She ran, positioned herself in front of CAL’s conveyor system—a restricted area where the luggage pass to go on the aircraft—got into a physical altercation with a female officer and threw a garbage bin at the said officer,” the release said.
After nearly an hour, Mason was eventually handcuffed and escorted from the terminal and was subsequently released to her relatives.
