Plane makes emergency landing after pilot hears baggage handler banging from cargo hold

An Alaska Airlines flight has made an emergency landing after the pilot realised a baggage handler was trapped in the cargo hold.

The airline said the pilot heard banging from beneath the aircraft and immediately returned to Seattle for a priority landing.

The baggage handler appeared to be unharmed but was sent to hospital as a precaution.

He was in the hold for at least 14 minutes before the plane landed.

FULL STATEMENT FROM ALASKA AIRLINES

Immediately after takeoff, the pilot of Alaska Airlines flight 448, bound for Los Angeles, reported hearing banging from beneath the aircraft. 

The captain immediately returned to Seattle, declaring an emergency for priority landing. 

The aircraft was in the air for 14 minutes. 

After landing, a ramp agent was found inside the front cargo hold, which is pressurized and temperature controlled. 

The ramp agent appeared OK, and was transported to the hospital as a precaution. We are actively investigating the matter.