Junior RAF pilot taken hostage at gunpoint in mock kidnap staged by masked senior colleagues for a prank

A JUNIOR RAF pilot was taken hostage at gunpoint in a mock kidnap staged by masked senior colleagues for a prank.

The helicopter pilot suffered stress and went sick after his “abduction”, prompting an investigation.

He was part of a three-man crew on a which performed an emergency landing in a Hampshire field a fortnight ago.

A farmer checked the crew, from RAF Benson, South Oxfordshire, were all right and was said to have driven the senior pilot and veteran door gunner to a pub leaving their junior colleague guarding the Puma.

A source said: “After a couple of pints the senior guys decided to play a joke on the younger pilot.

“They got some balaclavas and an air rifle and made their way back to the Puma and sneaked up on him.

“They took him hostage with the rifle and pretended they were kidnapping him and taking the helicopter.

"It was reported to top brass.”

An RAF spokesperson said: “An incident’s under investigation.”

Ex-military policeman Mick Neville said: “This sounds like a joke that’s gone too far.”