PASS THE SICK BAG
David takes wrong passport on trip with wife and spends hol locked up
AN unlucky Brit spent his holiday in prison after mistakenly flying on the wrong passport.
David Chadwick, 57, boarded a flight from Manchester to Croatia for a fiveday break with his wife Alison, 46.
But after a check-in blunder by Ryanair, he realised he had brought his stepdaughter’s passport instead of his own when he landed.
David was held for the entire holiday in a cell at Zagreb Airport as he did not have identification.
He was then escorted on to his original flight home and taken by Manchester Airport border staff.
They confirmed his ID with photos of his passport and driving licence on his phone and let him leave.
David, who lives in Standish, Gtr Manchester, with Alison and Katherine, 21, who are both nurses, said: “I was simply gutted and embarrassed.
“I pride myself in never having the wrong things in hand luggage and having the correct documentation.
“I couldn’t believe it had happened. This was a much-needed break for us.”
The senior international clinical manager said staff at Manchester Airport and the UK consulate in Zagreb were amazed he was able to fly.
He grabbed the passports from his coffee table without checking them before flying on April 24.
After David was detained, Alison was able to stay in the Airbnb apartment they booked.
They used WhatsApp to communicate but were too upset to speak to each other.
David said: “I will definitely go back to Croatia in future. I’ll just make sure I have the right passport next time.”
Ryanair added: “Our airport handling agents incorrectly allowed this passenger to board and we have liaised with our handling agents in Manchester to ensure this error does not recur.”