I couldn’t go on my last holiday
ILL MUM GROUNDED AT AIRPORT AFTER AN OXYGEN TANK BLUNDER
A terminally ill mum’s final holiday with family and friends was ruined after a blunder left her grounded just minutes before she was due to take off for Spain.
Karen Tubman – who has been diagnosed with an incurable lung disease – was looking forward to a £1,200 luxury trip to Majorca.
The mum-of-two needs an oxygen tank 22 hours a day and bought a portable flask from UK industrial gases company BOC Group for the 2hr 50min flight.
But when she boarded the plane at Newcastle International Airport, she was horrified to discover the tubing was missing.
It meant the 56-year-old was told she would not be able to fly despite being onboard and ready to take off.
Mrs Tubman said: “The holiday was my last one and it took an awful lot of planning. It was to make memories with my husband Colin and two other couples.
“We had saved all this money to go away as I have been left with a life limiting condition and could have six weeks or two years.
“I’m absolutely distraught but what has made it worse is that BOC won’t take any responsibility for the missing equipment.”
After discovering the tubing was missing, Mrs Tubman, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, told the air hostess who then alerted the pilot.
The former admin assistant was left heartbroken to learn for health and safety reasons she would not be able to fly.
Mrs Tubman, of Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, said: “The plane was full and we were just sitting on the runway as we waited.
“Me and my husband were told that I couldn’t fly so we had to get off the plane. It was so embarrassing. I was crying.”
After returning home, Mrs Tubman lodged a complaint with the BOC Group over the missing tubing.
She also demanded the company refund the €450 she paid for oxygen tanks to use during her five night stay in Majorca.
But Mrs Tubman said: “They’ve refused to accept any responsibility and have rejected my complaint.
“They said I should have known what I needed but I presumed all the equipment would be inside the bag.
“I have never been abroad with oxygen before but they have refused to take any responsibility. They’ve not said sorry.”
Mrs Tubman said she has been left so traumatised by the incident that she can’t face organising anymore trips away.
“All I want was the money I spent on the oxygen in Majorca back but they won’t listen,” she added.
A spokesman for the BOC Group said it would not comment on individual cases.