Delivery employee falls asleep while loading airplane and wakes up in Texas

Airport police determined that the stowaway did not have criminal intent

The airport was notified of the unexpected passenger at 5:17 am, and the flight landed shortly after at 5:35 am (REX Features)

A delivery company employee that fell asleep while loading cargo onto an airplane woke up nearly 800 miles away in Texas.

The unnamed worker, part of FedEx’s ground crew, was loading a flight at Memphis International Airport early on Friday morning, when he passed out in the cargo area, according to City of Lubbock officals.

After travelling across a large part of the country, he woke up and knocked on the closed cockpit door, according to Lubbock Airport's executive director Kelly Campbell told FOX 34.

"Knowing that it was a FedEx employee, they instructed him to get into the jump seat and buckle up. They were almost here anyway," said Ms Campbell.

The airport was notified of the unexpected passenger at 5:17am, and the flight landed shortly after at 5:35am.

The arrival was met by airport police and staff, who determined that the stowaway did not have criminal intent.

The employee was not arrested.

FedEx said in a statement: "There was never any danger to our employees or cargo. We are fully cooperating with investigating authorities."

Lubbock Airport did not immediately respond to request for comment.