Edinburgh-bound Aer Lingus flight from Cork diverted after being hit by lightning

A PASSENGER jet heading to Edinburgh was turned around this morning after reportedly being hit by lightning

A flight tracker shows the plane's diversion

The 6.40am Aer Lingus flight EI3806 from Cork was diverted to Dublin after declaring a mid-air emergency over Northern Ireland.

Online flight tracking tools showed the moment the ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop short-haul regional airliner turned south.

Air Live tweeted: "LIVE Aer Lingus #EI3806 to Edinburgh is returning to Dublin due to lighting strike (thanks @johngrantjr) radarbox24.com/flight/EI3806"

A Stobart Air spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that flight EI3806 from Cork to Edinburgh diverted to Dublin due to a technical issue this morning which was corrected. Shortly following departure from Dublin, the aircraft was struck by lightning and re-routed and landed at Dublin Airport.

“The flight has been cancelled and passengers were offered the next available flight from Dublin to Edinburgh. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our passengers."