There were waves of anger, arguments and tears in Chippenham this afternoon, as National Express refused five passengers.
The coach to Heathrow stopped on Bath Road, near The Bridge, at around 3pm to collect a number of service users before the luggage hold was apparently filled, according to the driver.
But the left-over passengers didn’t wish to accept that that they wouldn’t be able to ride on this particular coach and had to wait for the next, and a verbal altercation followed.
Police officers were soon called to the scene, where they attempted to persuade the driver to allow the customers to board the half empty coach so they didn’t miss their flight.
It appeared that the responding police officers didn’t fully believe the luggage hold was actually full, and on several occasions — with anger in their voices — told the driver that he was simply ‘being difficult’.
After 20 minutes, the National Express driver – in consultation with who we believe to be a manager on the phone – decided not to allow them on board as a matter of ‘safety’.
On hearing the decision, one of the customers then began to shout obscenities at the driver before crying.
The coach left, as did officers at around 3.40pm.
