Mets' Hawkins helps restrain unruly man on flight to South America

NEW YORK, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- New York Mets relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins says he and two friends helped corral an unruly passenger on a flight from Dallas to South America.

Writing on his Instagram account, Hawkins said the passenger became upset because he wasn't allowed to sit in an open seat in business class, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.

"He and flight attendant started wrestling and fell into my lap. The [flight attendant] said he needed help," Hawkins said in a text message.

Rodney Carter and Leonard Whittenberg, friends traveling with Hawkins, held the passenger down until he could be restrained.

The American Airlines made an emergency landing in Lima, Peru, before continuing to Santiago, Chile, NJ.com reported.

Hawkins said Carter and Whittenberg were traveling to South America with him to hunt doves.