Flight turned back after screaming, banging heard from cargo hold

An Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Los Angeles had to turn back minutes after takeoff Monday afternoon when an employee's screaming and banging could be heard from the cargo hold.

Fourteen minutes after the flight departed at 3:15 p.m. PT, the pilot declared an emergency and landed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

After landing, an employee of Menzies Aviation was found inside the cargo hold, which is pressurized and temperature controlled, according to a statement from Alaska Airlines.

"He told authorities he had fallen asleep," wrote the airline.

The employee was able to walk off the plane but was transported to hospital as a precaution.