Virgin passengers quarantined after ‘coughing sickness’ on Gatwick-bound flight
Crew and passengers on a Virgin flight were quarantined at Gatwick this morning after an outbreak of sickness on board.
Ambulances and emergency vehicles waited on the runway for passengers to leave flight VS610 from Barbados and to take them to be medically assessed after reports of widespread ‘coughing sickness’.
One passenger said over 100 people suffered ‘coughing fits and rashes’. Three people were taken to hospital.
It is believed five crew members were among those who became unwell.
Police and airport staff wearing face masks took everyone on board to a holding area where they were assessed after the plane landed at Gatwick at 5,20am this morning.
The flight is understood to have been specially chartered following a cruise on board MSC Preziosa in Barbados.
Passenger Trevor Wilson, who took this photo, said they were held on the flight for 90 minutes before being transferred to a holding centre to be checked over.
Mr Wilson said several travellers came down with ‘flu-like symptoms’ and coughing. He praised the action of Virgin.
The Daily Mail quoted another passenger, Phill Brown, saying: "On landing, lots of people reported feeling ill [with] sickness, diarrhoea, coughs, sore throats and even rashes.
"It affected customers and crew. Not sure of exact numbers but I’ve heard it affected 50, 80 and over 100."
South East Coast Ambulance Service told the Telegraph: "We sent ambulance crews including our Hazardous Area Response Team and a number of other paramedics to the scene.
"The crews have worked together on scene to assess and treat patients, approximately 30 people, most of whom have been able to be discharged from the scene with advice. Three patients are being taken to hospital for further checks."
Virgin Atlantic said: "A number of customers onboard the VS610, which landed at London Gatwick this morning (March 6) from Barbados, reported feeling unwell.
"As a precaution the plane was met by the relevant authorities who made the decision to screen everyone onboard, in line with standard health and safety procedures.
"The wellbeing of our customers and crew is always our priority, and we are supporting those affected.
"Customers have now left the aircraft and can continue their journeys as normal."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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