A three-foot rabbit which may have grown to become the world's largest died on board a United Airlines flight from Heathrow to Chicago.

Simon, a continental giant rabbit aged 10 months, was placed in the cargo hold of a United Airlines Boeing 767 from Heathrow Airport to Chicago's O'Hare airport after being bought by a celebrity.

Annette Edwards, Simon's breeder, told The Sun newspaper that Simon was expected to grow to be the world's longest rabbit after his father Darius grew to 4ft 4in (1.32m).

Simon's father Darius the Continental Giant rabbit grew to be 4ft 4in

She told the paper: "Something very strange has happened and I want to know what. I've sent rabbits all around the world and nothing like this has happened before.

"The client who bought Simon is very famous. He's upset."

Annette hires out her extra large bunnies for £500 and owners can expect costs of £5,000 a year on upkeep.

A United spokeswoman said: "We were saddened to hear this news. The safety and wellbeing of all the animals that travel with us is of the utmost importance to United Airlines and our PetSafe team.

"We have been in contact with our customer and have offered assistance. We are reviewing this matter."

Jeff, the World's longest bunny rabbit, pictured with baby sister Enya who will eventually outgrow him.

News of Simon's death is another PR blow for the American airline, coming less than three weeks after a Kentucky doctor was filmed being dragged off a United Express flight at same airport.

Images of David Dao's bloodied face were broadcast around the globe after he was forcibly taken off the plane by Chicago airport officers who had been summoned by United employees when he would not give up his seat on the overbooked flight.

Speaking after the incident, on April 9, United chief executive Oscar Munoz said: "The truly horrific event that occurred on this flight has elicited many responses from all of us: outrage, anger, disappointment.

"I share all of those sentiments, and one above all: my deepest apologies for what happened.

"Like you, I continue to be disturbed by what happened on this flight and I deeply apologise to the customer forcibly removed and to all the customers aboard. No-one should ever be mistreated this way."

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