Updated 2.21pm

A FLYBE FLIGHT from Southampton to Dublin was forced to return to the south of England on Friday – after a bee became lodged inside an instrument outside the plane.

The insect got stuck in a device used to measure wind speed, causing the pilot to become concerned about the safety of those on board.

Upon turning the flight around and landing in Southampton, ground engineers discovered the remains of a bee inside the instrument. The insect was removed and the flight took off again, landing safely in Dublin.

Noel Rooney, a passenger on the flight, told RTÉ’s News at One, said those on board had a light-hearted reaction to the incident.

“Some of the people who were complaining about being delayed for their next flight lightened up a bit,” he said.

Even the pilot said he had a bird strike before, but never a bee strike.

Rooney added that sadly the bumblebee didn’t survive the incident.

A spokesperson told the BBC that the bee had become lodged in the plane, and apologised for the inconvenience.

Originally published 8.13am. Additional reporting by Nicky Ryan.

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