A British Airways pilot was allegedly kidnapped and robbed during a stopover in Johannesburg, South Africa.
According to The Sun, the first officer was out shopping at a supermarket when a woman asked if he could help with her bags, which he dutifully did.
As the British Airways pilot and the woman reached her car he was bundled into the vehicle by a group of men.
Over the proceeding hours the pilot was assaulted and forced to hand over all his only money. The victim was reportedly only released by the gang when he had no money left.
According to PYOK, the pilot was spending two days in Johannesburg with his BA crew at a hotel in a gated compound known as Melrose Arch.
When the pilot was attacked it is understood that he left the relatively safety of Melrose Arch.
The Sun reported that BA sent out an alert to staff which said: “A crew member was abducted outside Checkers Bluebird supermarket just north of the Melrose Arch complex.”
The pilot was said to be unfit to fly back and a replacement was found.
“We are supporting our colleague and the local authorities with their investigation,” a British Airways statement said.