- The couple were robbed while on holiday in Egypt
- The man then fell sick on the plane back home, which diverted to Italy
- Do you know this couple? Email perkin.amalaraj@mailonline.co.uk
Kindhearted Italian police stepped in and paid for a British couple to fly home for Christmas when they were left stranded after being robbed while on holiday.
The officers held a festive whip round after learning the couple had cut short their break in Egypt when they were targeted by thieves and decided to fly home.
But their bad luck continued after the husband – who has not been identified – fell ill on their flight back and the plane had to divert and make an unscheduled landing.
The couple, who have not been named, were on a midwinter break in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada earlier this month.
But what should have been a relaxing trip for the pair in their 60s, turned into a nightmare after they were robbed, and they decided to cut short they trip and opted to go home.
The couple, who have not been named, were on a midwinter break in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada earlier this month (File image)
Their plane was forced to land in the Italian city of Venice (File image)
However, their astonishing run of misfortune continued after the man was taken ill on their easyJet flight to Manchester and the plane was forced to land in the Italian city of Venice.
Paramedics met the jet last Monday and the man was taken to hospital where he spent several days being treated by doctors for an undisclosed condition.
But once discharged they were unable to buy a new ticket for their trip home and so Venetian police stepped in and paid for the couple’s flight home for Christmas.
A Venice police spokesperson said: ‘The man was taken ill while on a flight between Egypt and Manchester and the plane diverted to Venice.
‘He was treated in hospital for a few days and then when he was discharged it emerged they had no money to pay for their ticket home.
‘Officers made a collection and paid for the ticket home and they were able to get back in time for Christmas.’
Flight tracking websites show the flight leaving Egypt last week and then making a detour to Venice after the captain decided to make an unscheduled stop when the man fell ill.
An easyJet spokesperson told MailOnline:
’We can confirm that flight EZY2252 from Hurghada to Manchester on 18th December diverted to Venice due to a passenger onboard requiring urgent medical assistance.
‘Paramedics met the aircraft on arrival and the flight then continued to Manchester.
‘The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority.
‘We did attempt to reach the booker and travelling companion to assist them further including with complimentary hotel accommodation and a flight home.’