Screaming Virgin Atlantic Stewardess Sparked Panic on Turbulence-Hit Plane

Bosses of Sir Richard Branson's airline Virgin Atlantic were investigating claims today that a stewardess alarmed passengers by screaming that their turbulence-hit jumbo jet was going to crash.

According to a passengers, there was panic when the cabin crew member apparently lost control as the London to Las Vegas Boeing 747, with 451 passengers on board, ran into turbulence over Greenland.

One passenger told the Daily Mail: ``She (the stewardess) screamed every time we dropped and one point chanted three times `We're going to crash'.''

Another passenger said: ``This hysterical stewardess was telling everyone we were going to die.''

The incident took place last Friday.

A Virgin spokeswoman said today that the airline was waiting for the crew of the flight, VS43, to return to the UK before starting an investigation.

The spokeswoman went on: ``We can confirm that flight VS43 from London Gatwick to Las Vegas, which departed at 10.51am on February 24, experienced unexpected turbulence approximately three hours into the flight.

``The safety and security of passengers and crew is Virgin Atlantic's top priority. The flight deck will always keep passengers informed of expected flying conditions and where possible will try to avoid areas of expected turbulence.

``Incidents of unexpected turbulence are relatively rare but as a precaution, passengers are always advised to wear seatbelts at all times during the flight.

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