Gatwick drone chaos: Jeremy Clarkson wishes death on the 'fat s***' who sparked chaos at airport as Rachel Riley from Countdown and YouTuber also face delays

Sophie Williams21 December 2018

Jeremy Clarkson has wished death on the “fat s***” who sparked chaos at Gatwick Airport by flying a drone over the airfield and forcing the closure of the runway.

Hundreds of thousands of passengers were affected by the major security operation which meant no planes were landing or leaving the site.

The Grand Tour presenter tweeted: "I really hope that when the fat s*** at Gatwick is caught, someone kills him."

Countdown’s Rachel Riley was among those caught up in the chaos at the airport. However she saw the positive side of things after her flight was rescheduled for two days time.

YouTuber Jacksepticeye was also caught up at Gatwick warning his followers that his videos may be delayed by up to two weeks.

Gatwick chief operating officer Chris Woodroofe said the airport has scheduled almost 700 departures for today.

The airport closed its runway after a drone was spotted
Jeremy Selwyn

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s today programme, he said: "I'd just like to apologise to all of those affected over the last 36 hours - 120,000 passengers who were due to fly to their destinations or arrive into Gatwick who have not travelled."

Gatwick chaos - In pictures

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He added that the airport had been working overnight with police and a number of government agencies in order to reopen.

Armed police are seen next to the runway at Gatwick airport as the hunt for a drone operator continues.
Peter Macdiarmid/LNP

Sussex Police assistant chief constable Steve Barry said the number of drone sightings at Gatwick Airport since Wednesday has been “unprecedented” but police now have a “number of options” around its perimeter to help prevent further disruption.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley, of Sussex Police, said that police were working on the assumption that the drone had been modified, with the “intent of causing disruption” and were looking through CCTV to identify the make and model.

He said they were following up a "number of persons of interest" in their investigations, with the military drafted in to offer additional support to officers.

According to reports, one line of inquiry was that a lone wolf eco-warrior was behind the attack.

Police had earlier said shooting the drone down was a "tactical option" being considered.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said there was no known motive for the pilot of the "commercial" drone.

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