A BRIT has been arrested after a BA flight attendant was raped in Barbados following a night out between flights.
The horrific attack came as the crew were staying at a £550-a-night hotel popular with honeymooners on the Caribbean island.
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The BA crew are understood to have headed out for food and drinks before the woman was targeted in the hotel.
Five of her airline cabin crew colleagues attended a police station to give statements.
Barbados police spokesman, Inspector Rodney Inniss told The Sun: “Employees from the British Airways have given statements on the matter and we are currently questioning a person of interest.
“I can confirm that the individual is of British nationality. There are no formal charges at this stage.”
Inspector Inniss said the incident was reported on Monday morning to the Hastings – Worthing Police Station.
“An investigation into this matter was immediately launched at the time of receiving the report, and is now at a very sensitive stage,” he said.
Airline bosses cancelled a flight from Barbados to London Heathrow this week after the stewardess reported the crime to police.
Passengers stranded in the Caribbean for 24 hours had no idea of the harrowing reason behind their delayed return to the UK.
British Airways bosses sent their own investigators and support team to Barbados to be with their traumatised staff.
A source told The Sun: “This has been an unimaginable time for the stewardess and her flight colleagues.
“What was one of the most magical parts of working for BA – heading out on the town in Barbados and staying at a lavish hotel – turned into a nightmare.
“The stewardess was brave enough to go to the police and report the attack.
“And her colleagues did not hesitate to provide supporting statements as part of the ongoing investigation.”
Another insider said: “BA bosses did not hesitate to cancel the flight home, despite the cost and inconvenience to passengers. Staff is always the priority in these situations.
“The airline has experienced support now on the ground in Barbados and everything will be done to look after the woman and her colleagues.
“Everyone is rooting for the stewardess and supporting the Barbados police in every way possible.”
BA and Virgin Atlantic fly direct to the Barbados capital Bridgetown in under nine hours.
The west coast of the sun-kissed island, fringed by the calm Caribbean, make it a holiday favourite for thousands of Brits each year.
Police in Barbados were approached for an official comment.
British Airways told The Sun: “This is a police matter and we’re supporting our colleagues at this time.”
How you can get help
Women’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
