Praying man who said 'see you in heaven' before trying to open TUI plane door mid-flight tackled by passengers

TUI holidaymakers say they were left fearing for their lives after claims an 'intoxicated passenger' was heard making threats before attempting to open the emergency exit mid flight.

The flight from Paphos to Manchester had already been delayed for a number of hours due to staffing problems, before it was forced to divert to Zagreb in Croatia due to the 'disruptive passenger.'

Passengers described seeing the man openly taking a substance resembling cocaine and praying on the floor, before making chilling threats towards other holidaymakers and cabin staff.

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Screams could reportedly be heard throughout the aircraft after claims the man attempted to open the emergency exit - before being restrained by fellow passengers.

After the plane was diverted to Zagreb airport in the early hours of this morning (August 16), holidaymakers claim they were left stranded for hours without any food or drink - or any contact from TUI representatives about when they'd be able to go home.

Another flight is due to take passengers back to Manchester Airport this evening, with TUI confirming that the disruptive passenger would not be allowed to board the flight again.

One passenger, named Kirsty, was sitting with her husband and two children when the chaos unfolded. She described the shocking incident as the 'most frightening experience of my life.'

Her family had already been put up in a hotel the night before due to their original flight to Manchester on August 14 being delayed as the crew had 'reached their regulated hours.'

Speaking to the M.E.N, she said: "TUI allowed an intoxicated and aggressive passenger on our flight. We all felt scared when he first arrived on the