ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. News

Instagrammer causes plane to make emergency landing after pretending he had deadly coronavirus

He was escorted off the flight bound for Jamaica - by Jess Bell
  • 06 Feb 2020
Instagrammer causes plane to make emergency landing after pretending he had deadly coronavirus

An Instagrammer sparked panic on an airplane and forced it to make an emergency landing after pretending to have coronavirus.

Canadian man James Potok has admitted his attempt at making a viral video was in poor taste after disrupting the flight from Canada to Jamaica.

Shortly after take-off, the 28-year-old stood up and got the attention of the passengers around him.

He then said: 'I just came back from Hunan province, the capital of the coronavirus… I’m not feeling too well. Thank you.'

Airline staff wearing masks moved Potoc to the back of the plane to sit by himself while the flight returned to Canada to make an emergency landing.

He was forced to wear masks and gloves, while other passengers filmed him being removed from the aircraft.

Afterwards, Potoc, who describes himself as an artist, said he was hoping to create a viral video by posting the footage on social media.

He told Global Media: 'I figured it would invoke some type of reaction. Not on the plane, more people seeing that on social media saying: 'wow, this kid's got balls.''

He admitted the prank had backfired, causing delays to other holidaymakers.

'What I did was wrong. I ruined the flights for 200-odd people,' he said.

Back in Canada, Potoc was tested and found to be disease-free.

He was then arrested on charges of mischief and breach of recognisance, also known as breach of peace bond.

He will appear in court in March.

Jess Bell

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Sweet Gwen: Extra cute, extra special, EXTRA JOY!

Sweet Gwen: Extra cute, extra special, EXTRA JOY!

Dog's hilarious account of being stuck in quarantine with owner

Dog's hilarious account of being stuck in quarantine with owner

Angry shopper COUGHS at cancer patient in supermarket

Angry shopper COUGHS at cancer patient in supermarket

CLEVER KID: A bestseller at just four years old!

CLEVER KID: A bestseller at just four years old!

{headline}

{headline}

'It's called social DOG-stancing' Dave the beagle opens up about life in isolation

'It's called social DOG-stancing' Dave the beagle opens up about life in isolation

10-year-old runs a marathon in his house!

10-year-old runs a marathon in his house!

CORONAVIRUS CHEER: Put your bins out in your BALLGOWN

CORONAVIRUS CHEER: Put your bins out in your BALLGOWN

{headline}

{headline}

Coronavirus Australia: Woman fined $1300 for spitting on Brisbane hospital workers

Coronavirus Australia: Woman fined $1300 for spitting on Brisbane hospital workers

Aussie 'miracle man' aged 79 bursts into tears as he thanks medics after beating coronavirus

Aussie 'miracle man' aged 79 bursts into tears as he thanks medics after beating coronavirus

Mum throws her one-year-old son a Corona themed birthday party

Mum throws her one-year-old son a Corona themed birthday party

DIY DISASTERS: Melbourne hospital spike as residents take on home renos and projects

DIY DISASTERS: Melbourne hospital spike as residents take on home renos and projects

Bride's shock: '16,000 people came to our wedding!'

Bride's shock: '16,000 people came to our wedding!'

Woman accused of deliberately spitting over fruit bins in supermarket

Woman accused of deliberately spitting over fruit bins in supermarket

Coronavirus: Tom Hanks replies to Queensland boy bullied over name Corona

Coronavirus: Tom Hanks replies to Queensland boy bullied over name Corona

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • Hard to Find
  • Australian Women's Weekly
© 2023 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Are Media and its brands may have generated text partially using generative AI. Upon generating draft language, our editors review, edit, and revise it to their own liking. We take ultimate responsibility for the content of our publications.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!