Baggage staff damaged jet and kept quiet

TWO British Airways baggage handlers crashed a 10-ton truck into a jet due for take-off and failed to report it, an insider claimed today.

The aircraft was on its way from Heathrow to Aberdeen with 80 passengers when it was rammed by the lorry.

The jet was badly damaged but the pair allegedly kept quiet. A dent in the side was only noticed by ground crew as the plane was about to taxi down the runway.

One BA worker said: "Staff are incredulous. For all they knew the plane could have suffered fuselage damage causing it to fall apart mid-air."

The baggage handlers, aged 54 and 49, have been suspended and an investigation launched. They could face charges of criminal damage and endangering safety.