Cyber Mann switched off by airport security

Part boffin, part machine Dr Steven Mann found himself damaged by terrorist hunting security guards at a Canadian airport.

Mann, who boosts his physical and mental abilities by using more than $500,000 worth of computer kit attached to various parts of his body, set off the alarms at St John's International Airport.

He was stopped and strip searched after security staff thought his computers and devices were an elaborate bomb.

Mann said he always sends a letter to airport security in advance of flights giving details of the sort of kit he will be wearing.

He said that he travelled from Toronto to Newfoundland without a problem, but was stopped by St John's International Airport security officers as he tried to leave the country.

Now Mann says he is suing after much of his computer equipment, to the value of $56,000, was damaged beyond repair during the search, including the glasses he used as a display screen.

He also claims that during the search electrodes were torn from his skin, drawing blood.

After the search Mann claims he was disoriented, fell over twice and banged his head on some fire extinguishers. He eventually boarded the plane in a wheelchair.