Couple 'stranded' abroad on 'holiday from hell' after Thomas Cook collapse
A couple from Birmingham say they have been left "stranded" in the Dominican Republic after the collapse of travel firm Thomas Cook.
Noel Harding and his fiancee Stacey Chell are among a group of 35 holidaymakers who have been "forgotten" and left behind by the rescue flights.
The couple flew from Manchester Airport with Thomas Cook for a £4,500 two-week holiday and were due to return on Monday, September 23.
The trip was to celebrate Stacey's 30th birthday.
Noel said they were aware of the collapse of Thomas Cook, but were assured they would be flying home as planned.
Noel said: "The coach arrived and took us to the airport and we were told it was a Spanish airline which would be taking us back to Manchester.
"We got to the airport and were then told: 'Sorry, you can't get on the plane, it's full'.
Noel said eventually another coach came along and took them to another hotel.
Noel added: "We were just dumped there - even the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) didn't know we were there, they assumed we'd got on the plane.
"The hotel we've been left in is horrible - there are cockroaches and lizards running across the floor, we've been bitten by God knows what insects and bugs.
"We've run out of money, toiletries and clean clothes and so far my phone bill is up to £230 because I've been making that many phone calls and using data because the wi-fi in the hotel is so weak."
After Thomas Cook collapsed in the early hours of Monday, September 23, the Government announced that the CAA would be flying home the 155,000 British holidaymakers left stranded abroad.
A statement on the Thomas Cook website says: "Thomas Cook UK Plc and associated UK entities have entered Compulsory Liquidation and are now under the control of the Official Receiver.
"The UK business has ceased trading with immediate effect and all future flights and holidays are cancelled.
"A dedicated support service is being provided by The Civil Aviation Authority to assist customers currently overseas and those in the UK with future bookings."
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