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Drastic measure to restrain unruly passenger during flight

Plane passengers helped flight staff restrain a 22-year-old man with duct tape on the weekend after he allegedly groped two flight attendants.

Maxwell Berry, 22, from the US state of Ohio, is accused of groping two female flight attendants and punching a male flight attendant on the Frontier Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Miami on Saturday, officials said.

Miami-Dade police said in a report that Berry had two drinks while on the plane and ordered another drink.

Maxwell Berry's mugshot and an image of him duct taped to a plane seat.
Maxwell Berry, 22, is accused of groping two female flight attendants and punching a male flight attendant on the July 31 Frontier Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Miami. Source: AP/6ABC

He brushed an empty cup against the backside of a flight attendant, who then told him not to touch her, officials said.

Berry then spilled a drink on his shirt, went to the bathroom and came out shirtless, the report said. A flight attendant helped him get another shirt from his carry-on luggage.

Police said that after walking around for 15 minutes, Berry allegedly grabbed the chests of two female flight attendants.

They called a male flight attendant over to watch Berry, who then allegedly punched the other man in the face.

A fight ensued and video footage of the violent incident shows the flight attendant and nearby passengers restrain Berry in a seat with tape and a seatbelt extender.

Frontier Airlines released a statement saying that the airline is working with law enforcement to prosecute the passenger. The flight attendants have been placed on paid leave pending an investigation.

Berry was arrested on Saturday (local time) at Miami International Airport and charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery, according to police. He was freed on US$1,500 (A$2026) bond.

Frontier Airlines planes.
Frontier Airlines released a statement saying it is working with law enforcement to prosecute the passenger. Source: AP

With AP

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