Liverpool FC owner Mike Gordon on board plane that skidded off runway at John Lennon Airport
The notoriously private sports tycoon was checked over by airport staff but was not injured in the incident on Wednesday morning.
Wednesday 11 December 2019 12:54, UK
Liverpool co-owner Mike Gordon was on board a private jet that skidded off the runway at John Lennon Airport on Wednesday.
The notoriously private sports tycoon was checked over by airport staff but was not injured in the incident, which happened around 6am.
It led to the airport being closed, flights being diverted and emergency teams arriving at the scene.
A Liverpool FC source told Sky News: "Mike was the sole passenger on the chartered flight from Boston and was unhurt.
"He'd like to pass on his thanks to the airport staff and emergency crews for their amazing work."
Three crew had also been on board and none were said to be injured.
Gordon, who oversees the running of Liverpool on behalf of Fenway Sports Group (FSG), was travelling to a regular meeting at the club and resumed the journey to his hotel shortly after the incident.
Flights arriving from Salzburg in Austria, where Liverpool played on Tuesday night, the Isle of Man and Dublin were diverted to Manchester on Wednesday morning, while planes from Belfast and Amsterdam were cancelled.
"He'll be devastated it's caused disruption to people's travel plans," the Liverpool spokesman added.
An airport spokesman said: "We can confirm there was an incident at around 6am this morning when a private jet with three crew and one passenger on board came off the runway after landing.
"There were no injuries and the runway is expected to be closed until this afternoon while the airport deals with the incident.
"Anyone travelling from the airport today is advised to contact their airline for the latest information.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and can assure customers we are doing all we can to resume services as quickly as possible."