Airport alert as driver smashes through door
MANAMA: An out-of-control car smashed through the main entrance of Bahrain International Airport yesterday, temporarily shutting down its main hall. Police had to shut the hall while staff removed the first set of glass doors from the doorframe and barricaded the entrance where the car crashed.
The accident reportedly took place at around 1 pm and airport officials said there were between seven and 10 flights arriving from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
The 34-year-old Bahraini driver of the 1999 Toyota Corolla was detained in custody.
Nobody was hurt, said a police official at the scene.
"The driver took a right turn onto the pavement and crashed into the glass while trying to park there, near the taxi rank. He was not in his senses."
According to eye-witnesses, the driver appeared to be drunk or under the influence of drugs.
"I was sitting on the bench outside the airport door," said taxi driver Sayed Ahmed, 55. "The car came around the corner - if he wasn't going so fast he might have been able to stop. He hit the brakes, and crashed through the glass doors.
"The driver was alone in the car - I think he was a drug user. He had track marks on his arm."