Man runs onto Heathrow runway
LONDON (AP) - March 13, 2008 Police performed a controlled explosion on the bag, but no
explosives were found, the Metropolitan Police force said.
One of the airport's two runways was partially closed after the
security alert, and a Heathrow spokeswoman said some flights were
being delayed. No airport buildings were evacuated.
The Metropolitan Police said the man was spotted on the northern
runway just after 2 p.m.
Police said the suspect was arrested by armed officers and
confirmed that his knapsack was being examined. A spokeswoman said
it was too early to say what the bag contained.
Media reports said the man ran into the path of an airplane.
Plane Stupid, a protest group demonstrating against airport
expansion in Britain, said it was not involved and was not aware of
any planned protest at the airport. Five members of the group
breached security at the Houses of Parliament last month, scaling
the building's roof.
On Feb. 25, five environmental activists were arrested after
they climbed onto a plane at Heathrow to protest plans to build a
third runway there.
The Greenpeace protesters wrapped a banner around the tail fin
reading: "Climate Emergency - No Third Runway."
Queen Elizabeth II is due to visit Heathrow on Friday to open
the airport's new Terminal 5.
