AN AIRPORT worker is recovering today after an aeroplane's emergency chute suddenly inflated - and knocked him 15ft to the ground.

The unnamed man, aged in his 40s, was standing on top of the portable stairs that had been pushed up against the Boeing 737.

As the plane's door opened the emergency chute deployed, forcing the man to tumble down the steps and onto the tarmac at Bournemouth International Airport.

Moments earlier the Majorca-bound Thomson flight had returned from the runway after abandoning take-off due to thick fog.

But as a member the cabin crew opened the door to let the passengers off, the inflatable slide suddenly sprung open, hitting the worker.

Staff rushed over to the Servisair employee and gave him first aid while they waited for an ambulance.

Paramedics then whisked him to hospital where he received treatment for severe bruising and whiplash.

The man is now recovering at home from his injuries.

The accident happened minutes after the Thomson 2183 flight to Palma had returned from the runway at 9.50am on Thursday.

It had been waiting to take off when the crew decided to delay the flight as thick fog had made visibility very poor.

A spokesman for Thomson said: "TOM 2183 was due to depart for Palma but was delayed because of very thick fog.

"The aircraft taxied out to the runway but the fog didn't clear so the aircraft taxied back.

"The stairs were put up against the aircraft and by mistake the emergency chute deployed and struck a person."

Tony Brunskill, spokesman for Servisair, said the man suffered no broken bones in the incident.

He said: "The man, who is a ground handling member of staff, is now out of hospital, which is good.

"He luckily didn't break anything but he did suffer severe bruising and a bit of whiplash.

"He is recovering at home and the boss is going to pay him a visit him to make sure he is OK."

Sally Windsor, spokeswoman for Bournemouth Airport, said the incident would be fully investigated.