Jet forced to avoid collision by diving

LONDON - A British Airways jet bound for London was forced into near freefall to avoid a mid-air collision over the United States.

The pilot was being told by air traffic control to continue climbing when the aircraft's emergency avoidance system gave the command "descend, descend, descend", a BA spokesman said yesterday.

The Boeing 777 plunged 180m just 15 minutes after taking off from Tampa in Florida.

- INDEPENDENT