‘Dying’ Co-Pilot Treated for Spider Bite, Returned to Plane : Co-Pilot of Hijacked Jet Checked at Hospital, Returned to Plane

The co-pilot of the hijacked TWA airliner at Beirut airport was taken off the aircraft today by Shia Muslim gunmen for examination at American University Hospital and then returned to the plane, control tower officials said.

They said Philip Maresca was suffering from a week-old spider bite that had become infected and that his shoulder and elbow were inflamed.

Maresca reported to the tower that he was taken to the hospital where tests were made and immediately returned to the plane. “I’m OK now,” he said over the radio.

The first report on the incident was when one of the hijackers asked for a doctor. When no physician arrived after a few minutes, the gunman radioed again, saying “I have a dying man on the plane. I want the doctor,” in an apparent attempt to speed things up.

The demand raised fears that one of the three American crewmen being held on the Boeing 727 was in danger.

But Maresca, 42, of Salt Lake City was later allowed to talk to the tower by radio and report that he was fine.

“A doctor visited me again today and said that analysis was needed,” Maresca said. “Give my regards to Mr. (Nabih) Berri (leader of the Shia Amal militia) and to my family,” he added.

Maresca suffered stomach pains two days ago and was examined by the airport’s physician.