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Comedic stunt puts airport on terror alert
Source: Agencies |
September 20, 2011, Tuesday
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IT was enough to spark a major security scare - a man posing as a pilot tried to gain access to a restricted part of an international airport and then escaped when challenged.
But it turns out the incident at New Zealand's Auckland airport was an elaborate television stunt gone awry. And now three show producers are facing charges.
The drama began on Saturday when police say a man dressed in a pilot's uniform tried to access a secure part of the airport before being challenged. He escaped in a van.
Police issued alerts for the man, saying the effort he went to in trying to deceive staff and gain access was of "significant concern."
The incident seemed reminiscent of the 2002 movie "Catch Me If You Can," which recounts the true story of a young con artist who successfully posed as an airline pilot before being caught.
Then the story took a turn. Police announced yesterday they have charged three unlikely suspects - a company director, a film producer and a broadcaster, all aged between 26 and 33.
Local television station TV3 then issued a statement - they all work on a comedy show called "Wanna-Ben." The premise of the show is that an unemployed man named Ben tries to find exciting work and meets famous people along the way.
"I am so sorry for all the trouble this has caused," said Ben Boyce, the face of the show. "We did not intend to breach security or cause any worry or concern. This was an attempt at humor which we fully accept was misplaced."
New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key said: "If it is a stunt, then it is irresponsible from a bunch of clowns who should know better."
But it turns out the incident at New Zealand's Auckland airport was an elaborate television stunt gone awry. And now three show producers are facing charges.
The drama began on Saturday when police say a man dressed in a pilot's uniform tried to access a secure part of the airport before being challenged. He escaped in a van.
Police issued alerts for the man, saying the effort he went to in trying to deceive staff and gain access was of "significant concern."
The incident seemed reminiscent of the 2002 movie "Catch Me If You Can," which recounts the true story of a young con artist who successfully posed as an airline pilot before being caught.
Then the story took a turn. Police announced yesterday they have charged three unlikely suspects - a company director, a film producer and a broadcaster, all aged between 26 and 33.
Local television station TV3 then issued a statement - they all work on a comedy show called "Wanna-Ben." The premise of the show is that an unemployed man named Ben tries to find exciting work and meets famous people along the way.
"I am so sorry for all the trouble this has caused," said Ben Boyce, the face of the show. "We did not intend to breach security or cause any worry or concern. This was an attempt at humor which we fully accept was misplaced."
New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key said: "If it is a stunt, then it is irresponsible from a bunch of clowns who should know better."
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