MP steps in to help Andrew’s shocked family
RIDDLE OVER TOURIST’S DEATH AT AIRPORT IN TURKEY
Crime Reporter MP KEVAN Jones has stepped in to help the devastated family of Andrew Westlake.
The 30-year-old died after an incident at Dalaman Airport, in Turkey after being ordered off a plane on Tuesday morning.
Since the tragedy, Andrew’s heartbroken loved ones have been trying to piece together what happened in the terminal and why he was not allowed to travel home.
But the family, from Annfield Plain in County Durham, told The Chronicle they have been offered no help by the authorities and do not know where to turn.
Now their local MP Mr Jones has stepped in to help.
The member for North Durham has spoken to the Foreign Office and asked Durham Constabulary to appoint a liaison officer to support the family and help them get the answers they need.
He said: “I have spoken to the Foreign Office this morning to make representations to get them to contact the family and I have asked whether Durham Police can appoint a liaison officer for them.
“It’s a horrible situation. A lot of distress has been caused to this family.”
Andrew had been on his first family holiday with his girlfriend and baby daughter when the tragedy happened.
It is understood he had tried to travel home alone and had spent several days in the airport trying to get a flight.
Witnesses have described seeing Andrew being escorted off a plane at Dalaman Airport, and he is thought to have died following an incident inside the terminal a short time later.
But his heartbroken family have not been told why he was not allow- ed to come home or how he lost his life.
His mum June said the mystery surrounding her son’s death had intensified her grief.
The 53-year-old said: “I have never felt like this in my life. It’s the worst feeling ever. He was my little boy – I can’t grieve until I know what’s happened to my child. The worst part is the not knowing. You would never expect your son to go on holiday and not return.”
The family say they have repeatedly tried to get answers from the tour operator Jet2, the British Embassy and the Foreign Office, but all their efforts have proved fruitless.
“Everything is going through my mind,” said June. “What’s happened to him? Why was he taken off that aircraft if he wasn’t causing a nuisance and hadn’t been drinking? If he has been allowed to board why was he then taken off? I just need to know why my child was taken off that plane. They are not telling me anything.”
Mr Jones said: “The problem is they have so many questions to ask it has become very confusing.”
The MP has also urged people not to speculate about Andrew’s death on social media.
“There’s been a lot of misinformation,” he said. “It’s bad enough losing someone, but hearing things second-hand and then hearing things that aren’t true is not helpful.”
A Jet2 spokeswoman said: “We understand a customer sadly passed away on Tuesday morning, following an incident inside the terminal building at Dalaman Airport.
“We can confirm that the customer was not injured on our aircraft or in the vicinity of our aircraft.
“As investigations are ongoing it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further, however, we would like to extend our sincere condolences to the customer’s family and friends at this very sad time.”