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"I'll be back," disgruntled cyborg tells airport security bullies
Robo-geek in living nightmare as bigger boys lynch him...

By Aled Herbert

Published: Friday 15 March 2002

Academic and cyborg Dr Steven Mann is seeking nearly $60,000 in reimbursement from a Canadian airport after he was lynched and strip searched by security personnel.

Mann has lived as a cyborg for over 20 years. He has over $500,000 of computers, wires and sensors attached to his body to boost his physical and mental abilities.

However, the academic was stopped and strip searched after he tried to board a plane at Newfoundland airport. It is thought that it may have something to do with the tightened security at airports following the events of 11 September.

Mann told US wires that he sends a letter to airport survey in advance of trips to warn them he's on the way.

He didn't experience any problems on the outward journey from Toronto to Newfoundland but was stopped by security personnel at St John's International Airport on the return trip.

Mann's lawyer claims equipment worth $56,000 was damaged beyond repair, including the glasses he used as display screen.

During the search electrodes were torn from his skin, drawing blood.

Mann said he was left highly disoriented by the experience and fell over twice. On one occasion he lost consciousness after falling over and banged his head on some fire extinguishers.

He boarded the plane on a wheelchair.