NewsLocal News

Actions

Social media posts appear to show actor Keanu Reeves in Bakersfield after flight diverted

Posted
and last updated

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Social media posts appear to show actor Keanu Reeves in Bakersfield after a flight was diverted.

Instagram video by L.A.-based artist Brian Rea appear to show Reeves in a minibus reading off facts about Bakersfield. Reeves also apparently played some 'Bakersfield Sound' during the ride from Bakersfield to Burbank.

View this post on Instagram

Hey everyone! There’s been a lot of attention (more than I ever intended) about a recent story I posted about an “adventure“ on a minibus with one of the greatest actors of our time. I don’t have anything to add other than that all the passengers were incredibly kind and lovely people, including the folks who took care of us in Bakersfield, CA. Perhaps though, with all this attention we can do some good. In the spirit of what a generous person Mr. Reeves is here are a few charities that I think he would appreciate if you all donate to. If you do have copies of the video (news outlets), please attach links to these charities alongside them. Let’s all do some good. 🙏 I will also post direct links in my stories so you can easily click to each of these. 🚐🌴🦄💛 #itssuchaprettyworldtoday www.sickkidsfoundation.com www.standuptocancer.org www.scorefund.org www.wildlifewaystation.org www.coachart.org/get-involved www.coachart.org www.stjude.org www.cityofhope.org/giving

A post shared by Brian Rea (@freebrianrea) on

According to Mark Witsoe, Dir. of Communications for Meadows Field Airport, on Saturday afternoon, SkyWest (United Airlines) Flight 5223 from San Francisco to Burbank was diverted unexpectedly to Meadows Field Airport due to engine problems.

SkyWest confirmed the diversion in a statement to 23ABC.

SkyWest Flight 5223, operating as United Express from San Francisco to Burbank on Saturday, March 23, diverted to Bakersfield due to a mechanical indication. The flight landed safely without incident in Bakersfield. Passengers deplaned normally at the gate and were then transported via ground transportation to Burbank.

Witsoe says United Airlines eventually called A-One Taxi, which rents a "starter space" at Meadows, and hired them to bring several vans to the airport. Those vans then transported the passengers to Burbank.

Witsoe says he believes the passengers were there for a couple hours, leaving around 4 p.m.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Monday

04/28/2025

Clear

-° / 53°

6%

Tuesday

04/29/2025

Mostly Clear

83° / 59°

1%

Wednesday

04/30/2025

Mostly Clear

85° / 58°

1%

Thursday

05/01/2025

Partly Cloudy

84° / 62°

3%

Friday

05/02/2025

Partly Cloudy

88° / 59°

4%

Saturday

05/03/2025

Showers

73° / 49°

51%

Sunday

05/04/2025

Mostly Cloudy

66° / 52°

5%

Monday

05/05/2025

Partly Cloudy

75° / 55°

2%