British holidaymakers caught up in Hurricane Irma mayhem claim holiday firms Thomas Cook and TUI have abandoned them
Other nationalities have been flown home from the Caribbean, holidaymakers claim
TERRIFIED Brits say they have been abandoned by holiday firms who failed to fly them home.
Families say they are having to fend for themselves while other nationalities have been flown out.
Around 40 British Thomas Cook tourists claim they have been forced to sleep in the foyer of a boarded-up hotel in Cuba.
Among them is Gemma Doyle, 36, husband Vincent Schofield, 45, and their son Marc, ten.
Gemma’s mum Andrea Rawlinson of Southport, Merseyside, said: “There is no plan in place for them. Nobody is helping English families.”
Another 30 Brits have been stranded at the Hotel Melia Cayo Santa Maria on the island.
Carolyn Foster-Richards, 49, said her son Jack, 22, and girlfriend Rosie, 21, were travelling with TUI.
Carolyn said: “They’re terrified and can’t get out, unlike all the other nationalities who have left. It’s ridiculous.”
MOST READ IN NEWS
Thomas Cook evacuated the Cayo Coco holidaymakers to mainland Cuba last night.
TUI said: “The health and safety of our customers, crew and destination teams is our main focus.”
For more on this story...
Listen to Julia Hartley-Brewer from 10am
Call on 0344 499 1000
Listen on DAB, via the talkRADIO app or online at
Projected path before Dominican Republic. Hurricane Irma intensified into a strong and 'potentially catastrophic' category 5 storm