British Airways captain held at gunpoint and stabbed in South Africa

British Airways captain is held at gunpoint and stabbed during terrifying attack while going for a run between flights in South Africa

• The airline captain was immediately rushed to hospital for medical attention
• After venturing out of a secure compound, the pilot broke British Airways rules

A British Airways captain has been held at gunpoint and stabbed after going for a run between flights in Johannesburg.

The horrific attack saw the assailant pull a gun out on the unnamed pilot before he plunged a knife into his thigh.

The airline captain was immediately rushed to hospital and given emergency medical attention.

He had been jogging with another crew member during the stopover in the South African city when the attack took place.

By venturing on their run, the flight crew broke British Airways’ strict rules that require staff to remain in a secure and approved compound where their crew hotel is based. 

A British Airways captain has been held at gun point and stabbed after going for a run between flights in Johannesburg

BA have instigated these rules and kept much of the South African city off limits during their crews’ downtime due to the notoriety of the crime in Johannesburg.

The compound that houses the hotel, based in the Melrose Arch neighbourhood, has been dubbed one of the safest places within Johannesburg. It is continually patrolled by security guards day and night.

The settlement includes a number of luxury amenities such as bowling alleys and leisure facilities.

A BA source told The Sun: ‘The rules are there for a reason. Crew are ordered not to leave the hotel compound. But the captain and crew member decided to risk it and go for a jog.

‘Soon afterwards they were followed and held-up at gunpoint. During a melee the captain was stabbed in the leg.

‘It was a harrowing ordeal. The pilot was taken to hospital. Everyone is just so thankful he’s okay. It could have been so much worse.

The source told the publication that he BA community had been shaken by the incident and have caused polite reminders to be issued about sticking to the rules.

The pilot has since been allowed to leave the hospital following medical treatment. He has now flown home as a passenger.

By venturing on their run, the flight crew broke British Airways’ strict rules that require staff to remain in a secure and approved compound where their crew hotel is based

Another crew were assembled to bring back the the plane from South Africa that the pilot had been due to fly, but passengers were not notified of the prior incident.

BA said both flight staff were offered counselling following the traumatic events and time off work should they need it.

UK government advice warns that there is a ‘high crime rate’ in South Africa. This includes ‘carjacking, house robbery, rape, sexual assault and murder’.

The travel advice for the country continues: ‘Violent crime can take place anywhere, including in tourist destinations and transport hubs. Most violent crimes occur in townships on the outskirts of major cities or in isolated areas.

‘The threat is higher in central business districts of major cities than in suburban areas, and increases after dark.’

British Airways told the publication: ‘We provided support to our colleagues who have since returned to the UK.’

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