A Blackburn family have demanded compensation and an explanation from EasyJet after their “horrendous” treatment following a holiday to Egypt.
They said they were forced off the plane and ended up being passed from pillar to post by doctors with poor English, at one point having to barricade themselves in a hotel room in a dangerous area of the city.
They have slammed EasyJet a lack of communication and the treatment they received and called for an explanation and for compensation for the trauma they endured.
Philip Collins and his family had just enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to Hurghada and one of their last as a family due to their children entering adulthood soon.
However, when their daughter Madison fell ill at the airport and the family claim she was forced off the plane by EasyJet staff.
As she and her mum Sara were bundled off the plane, they say they were assured a doctor would be available to see them and clear Madison to return later that day, August 10.
They said staff assured them they would be well looked after and be on the next flight back to Manchester.
However, they ended up having to stay in Egypt for a further two days.
Mr Collins said: “The hostess wasn’t listening to what we were saying, she was determined to get Madison off the flight and kept saying it would be fine and not to worry.
“It was absolute nonsense, and they ended up being absolutely terrified.”
Having been provided with no documentation, they were met by a doctor who spoke very little English and injected Madison in her buttocks with little communication, and again no documentation that the procedure had occurred.
The family said there was no EasyJet representative at the airport to help them as promised and instead they were escorted and dumped outside a hospital, with no luggage and only Sara’s handbag.
Philip had returned home with his two other children and was unaware of his wife and daughter being stuck in Egypt for almost 24 hours.
He said: “It was just horrendous. I am at home with my other two kids with all our luggage and then I am thinking of my wife and daughter on the next flight.
“It wasn’t until the morning that I found out what happened, and I thought they were stuck in Hurghada - it is not the nicest or friendliest of places.”
Having received help from a member of Travcon, a baggage handling company, they were transported to a hotel which was in an area of the city said to be very dangerous – to the extent Sara chose to barricade herself and her daughter in the room.
After contacting their insurance company the next day, they were informed they needed a medical report to say Madison had received treatment and was fit to fly.
However, documents had not been originally provided and after following up with the doctor at the airport they were informed no formal certificate would be given.
Forced to look for an Egyptian clinic, or else they would not be reimbursed for flights home, they were then given a three-day voucher for Stella Suites – the hotel where they originally stayed.
However, after arriving back at the hotel they were told there was no availability and ended up waiting around for several hours.
A doctor came to the hotel and gave clearance for Madison to fly, and their insurance company eventually sorted flights home, with the mother and daughter arriving back home in Blackburn at 6.30am on August 12.
Since then, the family say they have repeatedly tried to contact EasyJet and have not had anyone contact them regarding compensation for the ordeal – including a £400 phone bill.
Mr Collins said Hays Travel, through which they booked the holiday, said it had looked to raise the issue with EasyJet but after claiming its commercial team was dealing with it, Mr Collins said he found out last week there had been no communication between the companies.
Philip added: “I have never experienced anything like it in my life. It was the end of what was a brilliant holiday.
“It was the last holiday because the kids are hitting adult age, and it was a real dampener on the experience. I am bemused by it.”
A spokesperson for Hays Travel said: “Our Customer Relations team is in touch with easyJet Holidays. We are unable to comment further while their investigation is under way.”
EasyJet have been contacted for comment.
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