‘They were followed’: Witness reveals details of attack on Virgin Australia flight crew

A source that witnessed the horrific attack on a Virgin Australia flight crew has revealed more details about the alleged attackers.

The Virgin Australia crew caught up in a shocking attack in Fiji have now returned home, following an incident that unfolded over New Year’s Eve.

A female crew member, who was allegedly sexually assaulted near the Bar One nightclub in Nadi, flew back to Australia on Friday. Her male colleague returned the day before after receiving treatment for facial wounds.

In a recent update, Fiji’s Government confirmed a suspect had been questioned in connection with the attack, though no charges have been laid.

Five other crew members remained in Fiji to assist the investigation, staying close to their hotel as directed by their airline’s headquarters.

The incident occurred after a group of youths lay in wait outside the nightclub, attacking the Virgin crew members as they left around 2am on New Year’s Day.

The Virgin Australia crew caught up in a shocking attack in Fiji have now returned home, following an incident that unfolded over New Year’s Eve.

The pair had been in Nadi, a popular tourist destination just 20 minutes from Fiji’s international airport, enjoying the celebrations during an Afro-Carribean themed night at Bar One.

The two crew members were allegedly attacked while walking down the street by young men aged “18 or 19”.

“They were followed down the road, it was about 200 meters away from Bar One,” an unnamed source familiar with the incident said via the Daily Telegraph.

“The police came and tried to catch them but they ran off into a field.”

According to the source, the assailants seemed to be “looking for an opportunity”.

“They were in the wrong place at the wrong time,” the source added.

In a statement on Thursday, Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka said: “A suspect known to police for the alleged sexual assault has been questioned.”

Mr Gavoka confirmed the crew were “in good health”.

“Our thoughts and concerns are with them and for their health and wellbeing,” he said.

“These alleged incidents are regrettable.

“There were two separate alleged incidents, one being alleged theft and the other being alleged sexual assault which affected two different crew members.”

The nation’s acting police commissioner Juki Fong Chew said the incident occurred during a night out, as per the The Fiji Sun.

“We confirm police are investigating the Australian airline crew case as they were (alleged) victims of theft and of allegations of rape after clubbing,” Mr Chew said.

It is understood police are considering locals as suspects.

Fiji’s assistant police commissioner Mesake Waqa said the alleged incident involved two crew members, a man and a woman, as reported by the ABC.

It is alleged the man was robbed and the woman sexually assaulted.

The two crew members were allegedly attacked while walking down the street by young men aged “18 or 19” after spending time at Tanoa Hotel Nadi (pictured).

A Virgin Australia spokesperson told NewsWire on Thursday morning that the crew had been “advised to stay” at the hotel but were “not detained”.

It was reported earlier that the crew members had been separated and restricted to their rooms at Hotel Tanoa.

A spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told NewsWire they were aware of the reported incident.

“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,” they said.

The airline confirmed Virgin’s management team had been flown to Fiji investigate the incident.

7News reported family members of the crew are on their way to the country and a replacement team has been dispatched to fly the plane back to Australia.

The spokesperson confirmed they were aware of an incident, but did not reveal any further details.

“Our priority is the welfare of the crew,” they told NewsWire.