Man accused of attacking airport worker, 74

BOSTON-- A Massachusetts man is accused of smashing his large backpack into the face of a 74-year-old female security worker at Boston's Logan Airport.

State police say 53-year-old Eric Brandhorst knocked the woman to the ground Tuesday morning after she told him that his bag was too big to be carried onto his flight.

A state trooper was nearby, and immediately took Brandhorst into custody.

The Carlisle man was scheduled to fly on United Airlines from Boston to Denver.

He's charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person age 60 or older.

"Suddenly, and with no further conversation, the approximately 6-foot, 200-pound Brandhorst swung the backpack with both hands from his right shoulder into the left side of the victim's face, knocking her down," the Massachusetts State police said in a written statement.

Brandhorst later told troopers that he was "aggravated" and had "made mistake."

State police say the unidentified victim was taken to a hospital with bruising on her face and hip, knee and shoulder pain. She was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for further evaluation.