THUNDER BAY -- Thunder Bay Police have confirmed a WestJet flight heading to Ottawa from Vancouver was forced to land at the city’s airport after an unspecified threat was made.
RCMP received information of a possible threat and grounded the Boeing 737 aircraft, forcing it to land at the Thunder Bay International Airport just after 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
Police, in a release issued after the incident, said 125 passengers and crew were safely escorted from the plane. They also said the plane will be searched at some point on Thursday.
"The Thunder Bay Police Service is conducting the investigation which will include speaking with passengers and crew of the flight," the release reads.
Just before 11:30 p.m. officials with Westjet confirmed that the threat to Flight 142, which originated in Vancouver and was destined to Ottawa, was deemed “non-specific” and “not credible.”
“At the request of Transport Canada, #WS142 diverted to Thunder Bay,” the company tweeted from its official Twitter account. “It landed safely. We are now following the lead of law enforcement”
Police say taking precaution was first and foremost in the decision-making process.
"On behalf of all parties involved in this emergency, it is important to emphasize that the safety of passengers, crew and emergency responders has been the top priority. Thunder Bay Airport, airline personnel and emergency responders are well trained to deal with these incidents."
We received a threat against flight #WS142 from Vancouver to Ottawa tonight. Authorities determined it to be non-specific and non-credible.
— WestJet (@WestJet) August 4, 2016
