An airline has issued an apology after a parasport athlete’s wheelchair was lost ahead of an important basketball match. It has now been located. The incident came after Loughborough Lightning's Jessica Whyte, a parasport basketball player for Team Scotland, departed on a Flybe flight from Castle Donington’s EMA on a flight to Amsterdam last Saturday (July 23).
But on arrival it was found that the wheelchair she needs to compete had not arrived with her. Although they thought the issue may have been at EMA, this was not the case as Flybe said that the wheelchair had now been found in Amsterdam. The loss of the vital wheelchair came just days ahead of Ms Whyte's appearance at this week’s Commonwealth Games.
The issue was first highlighted by her team colleague Robyn Love, who turned to her social media followers to ask for help. The wheelchair has been found, with Ms Love tweeting: "Thank you to everyone who shared, reached out, picked up the phone! We felt the love today and we will carry it into the Games with us. Thank you to East Midlands Airport and Swissport for locating it - it’s stressful/busy times and we appreciate the immense effort."
READ MORE: UK Paralympian 'can't compete' after wheelchair lost
A Flybe spokesperson said: “We are pleased to confirm that the passenger’s wheelchair will be arriving on a flight to Birmingham Airport later this afternoon (26th July) after it was located by Swissport, the baggage handling company that assists Amsterdam Airport Schiphol with accepting and transferring wheelchairs and other important cargo to Flybe and other airlines.
"The passenger has been informed, and we are all working to ensure that the wheelchair is delivered quickly and safely. We and Amsterdam Airport would like to apologise to the passenger for the delay and any inconvenience caused.”
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