MONTEGO BAY, St James

Contrary to reports that 21-year-old hijacker Stephen Fray slipped undetected through the Sangster International Airport’s security system, security cameras recorded a rather different train of events.

According to the camera replay, Fray entered the departure hall and peered into the flight information display screen before approaching an AJAS representative at about 10:15 pm on Sunday.

“I want to leave the island on a flight,” he reportedly told the surprised worker at the check-in counter, who informed him that he could not make it on the CanJet flight 918 destined for Halifax, Canada, because he did not have a ticket.

The representative then advised that there were no more scheduled flights for the night, before excusing herself through the staff entrance to the boarding gate to board legitimate passengers.

Undaunted, the slender Fray, dressed in a dark, long sleeved ‘T- shirt and matching shorts, proceeded to the security checkpoint through the staff entrance.

He had no form of identification card nor did he carry hand luggage. When the security guards – all female – asked him for his travel documents, he pulled a gun from his waistband and barged past.

Within seconds, the frightened guards took evasive action and alerted the police who gave immediate chase.

However, Fray gained the advantage and within minutes boarded the aircraft where he held the 159 passengers and six crew members hostage.

Legal experts yesterday suggested Fray was aided – in part – by international civil avation rules which prohibit the discharge of firearms within the airport.

None of the passengers aboard the flight, who were released about 30 minutes after the ordeal started, nor the crew members who were held for about eight hours – were hurt.

The hijacker, who was taken into police custody, was up to press time still being interrogated by investigators. He has yet to be charged.