Hanna stuck in turnstile with flamingo

COLUMBUS , Ohio, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. wildlife expert Jack Hanna got trapped in an airport turnstile during the weekend -- with a flamingo.

Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, had just flown home from a zoo fundraiser in Iowa and landed at Don Scott Field at about 12:30 a.m. when the caper began, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

The airport terminal closed at 11 p.m., so the only way off the tarmac was through a 10-foot-tall, exit-only security turnstile. Hanna got stuck trying to push a square crate, carrying 11-month-old Marty the flamingo, through the round turnstile.

"I was stuck like a worm," Hanna told the newspaper. "My eyes were as big as grapefruits."

Eventually, he managed to disentangle himself. However, Marty remained wedged in the turnstile and Hanna's entourage was trapped on the other side on the tarmac.

"You'd have to have a blowtorch to get this out," Hanna said.

He walked to the Columbus fire station for help and a truck arrived moments later.

"Three firemen got out and they're not smiling," Hanna said.

Within minutes, though, they were able to free Marty.