LONDON (1010 WINS) — A 40-year-old British woman was allegedly raped by a fellow passenger during an overnight flight from New Jersey to London late last month.
The victim, who was sitting in business class, reportedly alerted the United Airlines cabin crew that she was sexually assaulted as fellow passengers were asleep on the Jan. 31 flight from Newark to Heathrow Airport.
"Our crew called ahead and notified the local authorities as soon as they became aware of these allegations," United Airlines said in a statement.
"Police at Heathrow Airport were alerted to an incident on an inbound flight," a Metropolitan Police spokesperson told 7news. "Officers met the aircraft on arrival and arrested a 40-year-old man on suspicion of rape."
The Sun reported that police at Heathrow conducted a forensic search of the cabin after the suspect was taken into custody. Officials also scanned his fingerprints and collected a DNA sample.
A source told The Sun that the man and woman had been chatting and drinking together in the plane's lounge area before the alleged incident occured.
"The woman said she was raped by the passenger during the flight while others were asleep," the source said. "She was distraught and reported it to cabin staff who radioed ahead to police, who were waiting as the plane came in to land."
She was reportedly taken to a rape counseling facility and was interviewed by police about the attack.
The suspect has been released from custody pending further investigation.
United said it will "cooperate with law enforcement on any investigation."
1010 WINS reached out to Heathrow officials for comment.
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