US actress Selma Blair accused of assault after incident with flight attendants

US actress Selma Blair has been arrested and taken to hospital after authorities say she attacked two flight attendants on a flight.

Airport officials said they responded to a call on Sunday about "a physically abusive passenger" on a Delta Airlines flight travelling from Los Angeles to New York. Two flight attendants were hurt and one was taken to hospital, the New York Port Authority said.

The 54-year-old actress, known most famously for her roles in Legally Blonde, Hellboy and Cruel Intentions, was taken into custody and transported to hospital. The FBI is investigating.

Blair's publicist told the BBC that she "experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct".

"Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition," her publicist said.

The incident occurred around 2300 local time aboard Delta Airlines Flight 938.

According to the BBC's US media partner, CBS News, the flight crew allegedly restrained Blair on the flight. Air traffic control audio obtained by CBS includes the pilot calling for medical personnel to come to the plane, citing a "bloody nose as well as some bite marks".

In a statement to the BBC, the FBI, which is responsible for investigating all assaults aboard aircraft, confirmed that it is investigating "a potential assault aboard the flight" but would not comment further.

It's unclear whether Blair will face charges relating to the incident. The BBC has contacted New York prosecutors.

A spokesperson for Delta Airlines said that law enforcement responded as the flight arrived at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York, and that there was no operational impact to the flight because of the incident.

"Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first," Delta Airlines said in a statement to the BBC.

Blair largely retreated from film work amid her 2018 multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis, telling the BBC years later that she blames the disease for taking "my career down" because "I had to stop working".

In 2021, she announced she was in remission for the disease.

In 2016, she had another incident on a flight after a drunken outburst caused two nurses to have to subdue her on board.

She issued a public apology after the incident. She said she accidentally mixed her medication with alcohol and "made a big mistake" that caused her to "black out" and "say and do things that I deeply regret".

"I am a flawed human being who makes mistakes and am filled with shame over this incident. I am truly very sorry," she said at the time.

US media reported at the time that the actress was screaming uncontrollably and that nurses had to prop her up with a pillow and give her oxygen to calm down.

She was taken off the plane on a stretcher when the flight landed in Los Angeles from Mexico, and was taken to hospital.