Selma Blair arrested after Delta flight incident; representative cites medical emergency
In short
Actress Selma Blair was taken into custody after an incident aboard a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York on October 11, according to Port Authority officials. Two flight attendants reported injuries, and Blair's representative said she had experienced a medical emergency and was in stable condition.
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Actress Selma Blair, 54, was taken into custody after an incident on a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on October 11, according to Port Authority officials. Officials told Fox News that police responded at about 11 p.m. to a report of a physically abusive passenger aboard Flight 938, which was parked at the gate after arrival. Blair was taken to hospital for evaluation. [ 1 , 5 ]
Two flight attendants reported injuries, and one was taken to hospital, the Port Authority said. CBS News cited a law enforcement source who said one attendant was bitten and another suffered a laceration, and that the crew needed to restrain Blair. The same source alleged that she kicked a Port Authority police officer while in an ambulance and assaulted a nurse at the hospital. CBS reported that she remained in custody. [ 4 ]
A representative for Blair told NBC News that a medical emergency had led to the alleged conduct. The representative said she received immediate medical attention after landing and was in stable condition, but did not describe the emergency. Newsweek also received that explanation from a representative. Delta told Newsweek that law enforcement responded when the flight arrived at JFK and that the flight had landed ahead of schedule without operational disruption. [ 3 , 5 ]
The FBI said it had been informed by Port Authority police of a potential assault aboard a flight arriving at JFK. It declined to discuss an ongoing investigation, citing Justice Department policy. NBC News reported that the Federal Aviation Administration would also investigate a passenger disturbance on the flight. Delta said passenger and crew safety came first and that it had zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior. [ 3 , 5 ]
Why it matters
One flight attendant was taken to hospital, and the FBI said it had been notified of a potential assault aboard the aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration also said it would investigate the passenger disturbance, according to NBC News.
Key facts
- Port Authority officials identified Blair, 54, as the suspect and said she was taken into custody and transported to hospital for evaluation. [ 1 , 5 ]
- The incident involved Delta Flight 938 from Los Angeles to New York on October 11. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Two flight attendants reported injuries, and one was taken to hospital, according to the Port Authority. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Blair's representative said a medical emergency led to the alleged conduct and that she was in stable condition. [ 3 , 5 ]
- The FBI said it had been notified of a potential assault aboard a flight arriving at JFK. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Delta said the flight landed ahead of schedule and was not operationally affected. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Blair was taken into custody and transported to hospital for evaluation after the Delta flight incident. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Two flight attendants reported injuries, and one was taken to hospital, according to the Port Authority. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Blair's representative said she experienced a medical emergency and was in stable condition after receiving treatment. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- Delta said the flight landed ahead of schedule without operational disruption. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The nature of the medical emergency was not disclosed. NBC News explicitly reported that Blair's representative did not describe the emergency.
- The reports differ on the status of charges. Newsweek, citing TMZ, said Blair had been charged with two assault counts involving an officer and a nurse; the New York Post, citing sources, described federal and state charges as prospective.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On October 11, Port Authority police responded to a report of a physically abusive passenger aboard Delta Flight 938 at JFK, officials told Fox News. [ 1 ]
- On October 12, Newsweek reported Blair's representative's statement that she had experienced a medical emergency and was in stable condition. [ 3 ]
- On October 12, NBC News reported that the FAA would investigate the passenger disturbance. [ 5 ]