... and from today's Scotsman... Many happy returns, Capt Hagan!
Hero pilot honoured
A PILOT who fought a cockpit intruder to save hundreds of passengers - including rock star Bryan Ferry and millionairess Jemima Khan - was honoured at an awards ceremony yesterday.
British Airways Captain William Hagan, who is 54 today, was one of 12 people who received a Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation People of the Year 2001 Award at the Savoy Hotel in London. The Glaswegian was chosen in recognition of his bravery in overcoming a passenger who went berserk during a flight from London Gatwick to Nairobi in December last year.
The passenger attempted to seize the flight controls, and in doing so disengaged the autopilot, which caused the plane to plunge 10,000ft.
Capt Hagan said: "I was just thinking about the job, and about how to get him off the controls. "