Trapped Travellers Fight to Come Home ; Gulls Man in Rescue Convoy Ash-Beating Plan by United Boss [Edition 2]

Summary

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HOLIDAYMAKERS are battling to make it back home to South Devon in the wake of the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud which has grounded flights into and out of the UK. Families, teachers, pupils and touring sports teams have been left stranded at locations around the world. Travellers from across South Devon have been left abroad marooned in airports and hotels. It was hoped that from 7am today Scottish and northern English airspace would be open. Teachers and pupils in Torbay, including staff at Paignton Sport and Community College, the South Hams and Teignbridge have failed to make it back for the first day of term after the Easter holiday. Former Torquay United chairman Alex Rowe, his partner Jacqui and son, James, were caught up in the ash cloud delays. H e l a un c h e d a Pounds 5 0 , 0 0 0 rescue plan on behalf of other passengers stranded in Rome after their Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong was diverted there last Thursday night. Speaking from his hotel room,

Mr Rowe revealed how he has lined-up local coach company Hookways Travel -- who provide United with their coach transport -- and booked six coaches to transfer the remaining 211 passengers who were on board the flight the 1,177 miles back to London by road and the Eurotunnel. Mr Rowe said: "It is the great escape." He still won't get back to Torquay until Friday -- a week late. Coaches left Hookway's Pinhoe depot in Exeter at noon yesterday. Mr Rowe said: "It is quite exciting because we are in the vanguard of rescuing an international airline. "The frustrating thing is not knowing when you will be rescued. At first we thought we would be able to fly out of here but gradually it has dawned on us that there is no way out. "We formed an escap e committee and decided to do something about it.

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Trapped Travellers Fight to Come Home ; Gulls Man in Rescue Convoy Ash-Beating Plan by United Boss [Edition 2]

I have been on the phone all of the time," he said. The coaches are due to arrive in Rome tomorro...

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