Police: Passenger attacked over 'disease'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Florida police said they arrested a man accused of attacking a woman at Jacksonville International Airport for "spreading disease" on the plane.

Investigators said Patrick White "continually harassed and chastised (the woman) for coughing and 'spreading disease'" during the American Airlines flight Monday, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, reported Thursday.

The arrest report says White hurled obscene insults at the 19-year-old woman while deplaning and told her she had "infected everyone" with her coughing.

While the woman was exiting the plane, White "yelled and charged toward her striking her chest with his right shoulder and arm, driving her back and slamming her into the wall," the report states.

The woman, who suffered bruising to her back, was treated at the scene.

White was arrested on a battery charge.