New Hampshire-bound flight diverted to Buffalo after man allegedly exposed himself

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A flight bound for Manchester, New Hampshire, was diverted to Buffalo Wednesday after a man allegedly exposed himself and urinated in the aisle of the plane, authorities said.

Neil McCarthy, a 25-year-old Oregon man, was arrested and charged with indecent exposure after the plane landed at Buffalo Niagara International Airport. He was released after appearing in federal court in Buffalo, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

The American Eagle flight took off from Buffalo shortly after the incident, according to an emailed statement from American Airlines. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding,” the statement said.

The man told police he was flying from Portland, Oregon, to Manchester and had several whiskeys and Cokes before boarding, then more during a layover in Chicago and after boarding. He said he got up to use the bathroom and returned to his seat, but he had a medically-related urinary problem, according to the criminal complaint.

An email seeking comment was sent to his federal public defender.