Bermuda Steps Up To Help Family After Diversion
After a Thomson Airways flight diverted to Bermuda on Tuesday [June 23], a family from the United Kingdom found themselves unexpectedly stranded here with no luggage, however the actions of a number of kindhearted locals is helping to make the family’s unexpected visit a pleasant one.
The flight was travelling from London to Jamaica when it diverted here due to a medical emergency involving one family member, who is being treated at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where she is expected to remain for the next two days or so.
The passenger’s daughter, son-in-law and two young grandchildren also got off the plane in Bermuda, as they were not willing to have the grandmother disembark the plane while sick and alone.
As the grandmother was taken to the hospital via ambulance, a police officer escorted the family to the hospital.
The family told Bernews that after realising their predicament, the police officer — who the family described as “wonderful” — would not leave until she was sure they had somewhere to stay, and even offered to host the family at her own house.
The family was also full of praise for the hospital staff and airport staff, who they said have been great, made them feel really welcome and went above and beyond to assist them in their predicament.
The family is now staying at the Coco Reef Resort, and said people to continue to provide assistance.
Gavin Kennedy from The Hub provided the family with a local phone and phone card, allowing them to call their relatives overseas, which they said has been very helpful.
When the family disembarked in Bermuda the airline did not provide them with their luggage, however Coopers has stepped up to provide the family with clothing.
A.S. Cooper CEO Somers Cooper noted the store’s long standing history as a family oriented store, and said he was more than happy to help the family and offer assistance through this difficult time. A Coopers staff member met with the family and escorted them around.
While the family is still dealing with the stressful situations of the grandmother’s illness, their luggage, insurance matters and trying to making flight arrangements, they plan to try and make the best out of their unexpected visit, as the Bermuda Tourism Authority assisted the family with arranging tours for today.
Glenn Jones from the BTA said, “It’s been our pleasure to help the family in whatever way we can. The sales and marketing, product and operations teams at the BTA have all had a hand in coordinating assistance for the family. But the true credit goes to our stakeholders.
“Every stakeholder we’ve contacted to assist has stepped up to help with lodging, food, clothes, even toiletries, offering the BTA a reduced cost or waiving costs all together. The generosity of our stakeholders has allowed us to do more for the family than is typical.
“The whole Bermuda response – from the Police Service and Airport Operations to retailers and restaurateurs – has been an excellent example of the Bermudian hospitality were known for. To hear the family is happy and doing well given the circumstances means that we have done our job as Bermudians,” added Mr Jones.
The family told us “everyone” has been helpful, even arranging for them to get toiletries, food and other necessary items.
“It’s unbelievable,” one of the family told Bernews. “I am getting emotional just thinking how helpful everyone has been. From the moment we got off the plane, everyone has been really great.”
Reading stories like this,(in-spite of the unpleasant circumstances)does make me proud to say, “I am Bermudian!” I want to thank everyone for helping this family and of course, wishing a speedy recovery to the senior member…
Now this is the Bermuda I know!
I have to agree with Raymond Ray and all of those that believe this was a wonderful thing to do. I am proud of my Country because this is how I came up and I miss it. I agree that back in the 60s, 70s and 80s, this was absolutely normal,there wouldn’t have been a second thought. It is time for that to be back, show our young people how it used to be when everyone cared and everyone helped each other. It doesn’t cost, nor does it hurt to be kind. These people, just like the officer were clearly doing this from their hearts. Believe or not there are still many Bermudians here with huge hearts. I applaud all and would love to help in any way that I can. Anyone that looks at this negatively need to take another look. Just like another writer, if the shoe was on the other foot, wouldn’t you want someone to assist you, sincerely, from the heart not looking for anything in return, especially in a foreign land where you know no one. SERIOUSLY, think about it. These wonderful people weren’t vacationing here, this wasn’t their destination. Praying for the lady that took ill and for her family. In spite of your circumstances may you enjoy your stay here in Bermuda and the warmth of its people, the real Bermudians.
Amazing, thoughtful Bermudians are still plentiful!!
I think its wonderful how we helped out to reach these people in need…….now can we do the same for our own people who are living these circumstances EVERY DAY! Kudos Bermuda….your true colors are shown.
Exactly! Everyone is falling over themselves to help these pseudo-tourists. Yet, there are people living in far worse conditions in Bermuda every day and no one is blinking twice.
Fortunately or unfortunately, tourists and locals get treated very differently.
@ Where’s my luggage & Miss Bermy: Excuse me
we have Social Services available to ALL Bermudian families. It’s stories like the one surrounding this unfortunate mishap, to a family who hadn’t planned on being here…They’ll more than likely say, “we’ll be back!”
Again I say, thank you to everyone for helping them.
Many people/organizations are stepping up to help our families that need it, what are you doing to help?, and if you are then i commend you for doing so..
These people ended up in a strange land , unarranged and knowing no one through no fault of their own and are being helped by genuinely caring Bermudians as it used to be in the old days. Your reference to them as ‘pseudo tourists’ is a poor reflection on your character and judgement.
There are agencies and charities aplenty here to help the unfortunate locals of who you speak so don’t say that no one is blinking an eye.
I’m doing my part , are you ?
@Where’s my Luuggage…I help and will continue to help those in need , not those in want! I will help those that need help because they are not ABLE to help themselves, and I agree there are many. However, don’t ask others to help those that expect hand outs, continue to make selfish choices in their lives, have an addiction, are lazy, or those that won’t help themselves.
Stop living in this me, me, me, I , I , I , what’s in it for me, I wan’t some too f’n world!
Bitter much?
Ok, maybe it wasn’t fair to say no one is blinking an eye. People are blinking an eye. My main point is that the responses, resources, and general effort put into helping these people is very different from how local Bermudians are helped.
@Raymond Ray, when you look at Social Services and you divide all their resources and time between the hundreds or thousands of people that use it, it is nothing compared to the support that these people have received. Is becoming homeless not an ‘unfortunate mishap’? Do you think people plan on not having food on the table? Yeah, they may come back, they may not. People struggling in Bermuda are here every day. Surely, they deserve more attention, no?
@Herb, you’re right. There are many people and organisations helping. I just don’t think the response is proportional when you compare these people and organisations helping Bermudians and every one who is helping these visitors.
@Toodle-oo, when you are a local and have no money in Bermuda, it can start to look like a strange land as well. What makes their feelings any more important? Also, no need for personal digs. Let’s stick to the discussion. Thanks.
@Boom, “those that expect hand outs, continue to make selfish choices in their lives, have an addiction, are lazy, or those that won’t help themselves. Stop living in this me, me, me, I , I , I , what’s in it for me, I wan’t some too f’n world!” Honestly, I don’t think I have the energy to try and have a discussion with you about this.
@AFurbert, bitter? No, not bitter. Upset at the contrast in response and support. I don’t think we should treat these visitors any better than we treat locals. Imagine if you were homeless and you were reading this story? How would you feel? These random people get all the support in the world and you still don’t have a place to sleep or food to eat? How would you feel? Probably more than just bitter.
@ Where’s my luggage: Please, don’t attempt twisting my words or intentions.
“we have Social Services available to ALL Bermudian families. It’s stories like the one surrounding this unfortunate mishap, to a family who hadn’t planned on being here…”
And yes, I also had written they may be back but that wasn’t the point I want/ed to precede my other comments…
@ Where’s my luggage: As a matter of fact, why hadn’t you (and certain others) complain when the former Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown and Col. David Burch, (under a cloak of darkness) carried from Cuba them four Quighai’s? They now reside in Bermuda, possibly permanently…and to add insult to injury, they now have their wives and children who are taking, “Bermudians jobs and housing.”
So, please, get off of the people / Government who’ve helped a family that are here due to a family member taking ill…
@Wheres My Luggage, Every time I buy something in Bda Im helping because part of the import duty I pay goes to helping those in need. The money that comes out of my paycheck for Gov Taxes helps some. I buy raffle tickets, stickers, pins, ribbons, poppies almost every weekend when I walk into stores. I donate money, donate lightly used items to the Barn, give to my kids school and even donate time to help with various causes. I attend charity functions, pot luck dinners, football games, golf tournaments, enter charity races and walks and do the end to end. I donate blood regularly. I have supported St Baldricks Day and do lots more to give back. If I want to give to visitors as well, its my prerogative! The reason we enjoy giving to others is because they are genuinely grateful and appreciative…just like these tourists were when they were helped during their time in need. Sometimes its nice to hear – thank you, instead of a complaint. Try it sometime.
@Raymond Ray, I don’t think you’re reply has progressed the discussion at all.
@Sky cap, that’s great. Gold star for you. I’m not talking about individuals here. I’m talking about the general response to these visitors compared to the response to local Bermudians. It’s not the same. Yes, there are individuals like yourself who are doing a lot but I’m talking about them. I’m talking about the general feeling that Bermudians are willingly to go out of their way to help a visitor or tourist than they are to literally help the homeless person on their doorstep. “The reason we enjoy giving to others is because they are genuinely grateful and appreciative” Then why do so many people not give to the homeless and starving? Will they not be genuinely grateful and appreciative as well?
@Dee (below), the problem is that there are plenty of Bermudians ‘stuck here’ who need help as well and they are not receiving the same attention as these people are. “They didn’t ask to come here, and you need to place yourself in their position. Wouldn’t you want the same treatment? Do unto others!!” Ok, homeless people didn’t ask to be homeless. People without money didn’t ask to not have money. If I was in their position, yes, I would want the same treatment. The homeless person on the street, who is in an arguably worse position than these people, would also like the same treatment. The question is, why doesn’t the homeless person get it?
@GoodIdea BadIdea (below), “Just let these people in their vulnerable state enjoy the generosity of our island.” Are the homeless and struggling not in a ‘vulnerable state’? Do they not have the privilege of enjoying the ‘generosity of our island’? “If I was in the same place I would have opened my door to them.” Yes, I’m sure many people would but many people wouldn’t open their doors to a homeless person. Why is that?
@Raymond Ray, I don’t think your reply has progressed the discussion at all so I’m not sure what you want me to say.
@Sky cap, that’s nice. Gold star for you. There are individuals like yourself who are helping. I’m not arguing against that. My point is that there are more individuals who would help these visitors than they would help the struggling person down the road. “The reason we enjoy giving to others is because they are genuinely grateful and appreciative” When a homeless person has a roof over their head, are they not ‘genuinely grateful and appreciative’? When a starving person has food in their belly, are they not ‘genuinely grateful and appreciative’?
@Dee (below), the problem is that Bermudians are more willing to help visitors than they are to literally help the homeless person on their doorstep. Are homeless Bermudians not ‘stuck here’? Do Bermudians without food or electricity not need help? “They didn’t ask to come here, and you need to place yourself in their position. Wouldn’t you want the same treatment?” Homeless people didn’t ask to be homeless. People without money didn’t ask to not have money. If I was in their position, yes, I would want the same treatment. The homeless Bermudian, who is arguably in a worse position, would also like the same treatment. But the homeless person doesn’t get it. Why is that?
@GoodIdea BadIdea (below), Are homeless Bermudians not in a ‘vulnerable state’? Do struggling Bermudians not have the privilege of enjoying the ‘generosity of our island’? I think some of my other above comments also apply to your comment but I won’t copy them again. This comment is way too long now lol.
Every one, help one-, and that includes you. You don’t have to wait for an organization to help, step up all the people that can and help you fellow man. In this case, tourist were stuck here and they needed help, so what’s the problem? Help these people so that they can return home. They didn’t ask to come here, and you need to place yourself in their position. Wouldn’t you want the same treatment? Do unto others!!
Just let these people in their vulnerable state enjoy the generosity of our island. Yes we do need to start to pay attention to our own in distress – but that’s way out of context to a family who are clearly here because they had to “pull the cord” to stop the flight. They were probably on a package holiday, may have limited funds to support them and were thinking “how the H3ll are we going to get back home after throwing away our holiday?”
So lets be easy on this family. If I was in the same place I would have opened my door to them.
I for one think that businesses are doing the right thing, making sure that the unexpected guests are made comfortable until the hospital issues can be solved.
No seriously I wanted to say the samething!!! I know people who are not eating and have no electricity, living in the cars etc. Were are the generous stakeholders?????? Why are Bermudians not being taking care of at the same level?
I hope you are helping these people you know.
Well done to all my fellow bermudians that assisted this family in dire need…WELL DONE…
What a wonderful thing to hear. Negativity is filling our news feeds, this restores my hope in all.
It’s sad how people perform good Samaritan acts for publicity. Everyone is quick to help others, but slow to help our own.
Let’s get it right Bermuda!
To Where’s my luggage. I understand where you are coming and I agree but I do also want to thank fellow Bermudians for assisting this family in need.
I keep reading that there are no real bermudians – we all came from somewhere else.
Why don’t you all make up your minds
Its good they all helped out the family cause if the shoe was on the other foot i would like the same treatment out there
Now that is the Bermuda I know and love
Does it really matter who you are, where you are from or what the circumstances? It’s people helping people. You think the Police Officer offered her home for publicity? and the airport and hospital staff went above and beyond just to be recognised? They helped becuase they are good people and it’s the right thing to do. BTA is doing their job, promoting Bermudian hospitality.
I was stuck in Boston with my sick mother, and the folks there did the same for me, offering me free rides to go to buy clothes and finding me food when everything in the hospital was closed – it’s called BEING NICE.
Great story!
“where’s my luggage”, don’t be a cloud on a sunny day
These actions do remind me of the Bda of the 60′s, 70′s and 80′s. I am happy to read of this kindness.I give the BTA an A. However,lets not forget the Americaus Cup is coming!And with all that said..BERMUDA DOES AND WILL ALWAYS ROCK!!
Kudos to the police woman for getting this ball rolling