Russell Crowe blasts airline

Russell Crowe lashed out at an airline on Twitter, after they refused to let his son's hoverboards on board. The 51-year-old actor took to the social networking site to slam Virgin Australia after the airline informed him that the lithium ion batteries in the hoverboards pose a hazard during air transport and they could not be taken on board. Russell, who was preparing to fly from Sydney to Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, with his children Tennyson and Charles, fumed: "Ridiculous. No Segway boards as luggage? Too late to tell us at airport. Kids and I offloaded. Goodbye Virgin. Never again.' "Why did you not inform me when I booked my ticket? Where is your duty of responsibility in this? "I'm awaiting your reply, where is your duty of responsibility in this? Why not tell me when I am booking my ticket? (sic)." When actor and comedian Joel Creasey replied to Russell saying: "You're a millionaire babe, get some perspective. Try Tiger. They don't even have real pilots," Russell shot back: "I'm a father, Joel, with two kids at an airport trying to start our holiday." He then left the airport without boarding the plane. In a statement a Virgin spokesman said: "Safety is our number one priority at Virgin Australia. Due to safety concerns, Virgin Australia, along with all major Australian airlines and many around the world, do not permit the carriage of lithium ion battery operated small recreational vehicles, such as self-balancing boards, hoverboards or aero wheels, as checked-in or carry-on baggage."