Latest news with #Brits'
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
I woke up next to girlfriend's lifeless body after deadly holiday mistake – then I was arrested on suspicion of murder
WAKING up at 4am, Roland Wessling knew immediately that something was wrong. He and his long-term partner, Hazel Woodhams, 30, were camping on the Norfolk Broads, near Great Yarmouth, when tragedy struck. Advertisement 5 He awoke the next morning to find himself in incredible pain and Hazel unresponsive Credit: supplied 5 Hazel had died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from their BBQ Credit: supplied Roland had awoken with a pounding headache, his brain was foggy, and pain ripped through his body. He was lying halfway out of the sleeping section of his tent with no memory of getting there, and as his eyes adjusted to the morning light, his fear grew. He says: 'I could barely move, but I instinctively turned to where Hazel was sleeping. Advertisement 'I dragged myself over to her, and my whole world fell apart. 'I knew immediately that my beautiful, amazing partner was dead.' It was the 5th of July 2011, and now, after marking the 14th anniversary of her death, Roland now wants to warn others of the silent killer that took Hazel's life. Forensic archaeology lecturer Roland, now 54, lives in 'The lethal fumes had come from a small BBQ that had been cold to the touch before we went to bed. Advertisement 'My job now is to save other people's lives who, like Hazel and I, enjoyed camping and BBQs.' The couple met in 2005, when Hazel, then 25, was working for West Yorks Police Force as a Expert's warning over common barbecue myths that pose 'dangerous health risk' as Brits' grilling blunders revealed The pair started dating in 2005 and soon moved in together. He says: 'We both loved kayaking and would spend weekends combining camping, the sport and visiting historic sites everywhere from The pair had been kayaking on the Broadlands canals and relaxing after a hectic week in July 2011. Advertisement Rolland recalls: 'We bought some sausages from a village butcher and some local cider and headed to the campsite for dinner. The couple had a four-person tent with two zip-up pods inside. The night before, a small bird had gotten in, so that evening the pair made sure any tiny holes were covered before starting the BBQ outside. Roland says: 'We had a little bucket-style coal BBQ. I lit the coals, and by 6pm the grill was hot enough. 'Hazel poured the cider while I cooked the sausages and jacket potatoes in the embers.' 'It was a lovely evening. We were both knackered from kayaking but having a lovely time enjoying a camp-cooked meal and the warm breeze.' Advertisement 5 To add to his horror, initially Roland was arrested over her death. He was later de-arrested Credit: supplied 5 By 9pm, the couple decided to call it a night, especially because the weather had turned and possible overnight rain was forecast. Roland says: 'I was going to leave the BBQ outside, but with rain possible we didn't want a mucky mess of ash and gunk in the morning. 'The bucket and the ashes were cold to the touch. Advertisement 'We simply popped it inside the tent, zipped the main door up and went to our sleeping pod.' Roland zipped up the entrance, and the couple chatted about their plans for more sightseeing in the morning before falling asleep. 'The next thing I knew, I woke up halfway out the now unzipped pod door in agony, and Hazel, who'd celebrated her 30th birthday a few weeks earlier, was dead,' he says. After discovering Hazel's lifeless body, Roland dragged himself to the tent's entrance and screamed for help. He says: 'There were barely any campers on the site. It felt like hours before someone came." Advertisement An off-duty police officer was camping nearby and, alerted by Roland's screams, took control. He added: 'He called the police and within an hour I was in the back of an ambulance on oxygen being assessed and Hazel's body was being taken to the same hospital as me. 'To the police, it must have seemed like I was on drugs, as I was totally incoherent. 'There was no obvious reason a healthy woman would be dead, and they made the assumption drugs had been involved." Roland was arrested on suspicion of murder, although he was de-arrested just hours later when details of how she died emerged. Advertisement 'Just hearing a police officer make the allegations broke me," he said. 'Nothing made sense. I had no explanation and was in dire need of hospital treatment.' At James Paget University Hospital in Great Yarmouth, Roland was rushed to the ER. Blood was taken from him and Hazel's body, and it showed both had suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. I'd lost my beloved partner. There were times I wanted to die Roland Wessling The pain Roland had felt when he woke up was compartment syndrome, caused when surgeons suspected he had fallen on his side trying to get up in the early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning. Advertisement He says: 'I needed emergency surgery because the pressure of lying on my right arm meant pressure built up in a closed muscle compartment of the limb, cutting off blood flow and damaging nerves and muscle. 'The carbon monoxide poisoning meant the lack of oxygen was causing even faster muscle tissue death than normal. 'My damaged muscle was also swelling and leaking proteins into my blood, and had already begun harming my kidneys. Without intervention, every organ in his body would have broken down.' Roland underwent a fasciotomy, which means long, deep incisions are made in the skin and underlying fascia, the tough connective tissue around muscle compartments, are exposed. This stops the dangerous pressure building up inside the muscle compartment and restores blood, and helps stop the nerve and muscle damage. Advertisement Roland spent a total of four weeks in intensive care and hospital and was told his arm would have to be amputated if the procedure and antibiotics to prevent infection didn't work. But he says that his only thoughts were with Hazel. He says: 'I was in physical agony in ICU, but the grief and mental agony of Hazel's death and not understanding what happened was worse. 'I'd lost my beloved partner. There were times I wanted to die.' After cops were told of the carbon monoxide blood results, he was de-arrested and no further police action was taken against him. Advertisement 'Even today, the thought I was even considered a suspect in such a brutal crime is triggering,' Roland admits. At the inquest into Hazel's tragic passing, a verdict of accidental death by carbon monoxide was returned. He says: 'Carbon monoxide poisoning is something you associate with a leaking boiler, tightly enclosed spaces, and leaking gas. 'It's something you think would not happen in a tent in the middle of a nature reserve.' However, he soon discovered the source of the deadly gas, which had no smell or taste, was the cold BBQ the pair had brought into the tent. Advertisement Roland adds: What we didn't know was that underneath the top layer of cold ashes, the ash is still hot and can be up to 300 degrees. 'That means the ashes are still releasing the deadly gas. 'Because we had been so cautious to keep the birds out, it meant that gas was getting trapped in the tent and building up to lethal levels. 'Hazel was poisoned in her sleep, and I likely survived because I was slightly taller and heavier. 'As part of my intensive care hospital treatment, I also underwent oxygen replacement therapy to reverse the effects of the carbon monoxide as well as the surgery.' Advertisement The ashes in a BBQ - even once it has been extinguished - can release extremely high levels of the gas, as in Roland and Hazel's cases. In a tent, carbon monoxide quickly replaces almost all of the oxygen. Victims are suffocated, and organs are starved of the oxygen they need. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING? The symptoms of carbon monoxide are Within two hours of a leak, an adult could lose balance, vision and memory – and eventually pass out. If you recognise any of these symptoms, it's important to go to your local Accident and Emergency department (A&E) immediately. Severe symptoms include: Intoxication: And impaired mental state Vertigo: The feeling that the environment is spinning Ataxia: Loss of physical coordination, caused by damage to the brain and nervous system Breathlessness: And a rate of more than 100bpm Chest pain: Caused by a heart attack Seizures Loss of consciousness: From this stage, death can strike within minutes. He says: 'Doctors explained the brain is particularly vulnerable and can be suffocated in as little as four minutes. 'If you survive like me, the effects worsen over the coming days and weeks, even with treatment. 'My symptoms included. difficulty with concentration, hearing and vision, and mood effects including anxiety and depression.' Advertisement Roland admits that while he is lucky to survive, his grieving process for Hazel's death was almost impossible to get through. However, he was able to find an outlet for his grief. 'As a scientist, I knew Hazel would want me to find out how to help other people and what happened,' he says. Roland was invited to share his story at a stakeholders' forum as part of the 'All Party Committee on Carbon Monoxide Safety' at the Houses of Parliament in London. He says: 'I applied for funding for a PHD student to research the dangers of charcoal-related issues like those which caused Hazel's passing. Advertisement As a scientist I knew Hazel would want me to find out how to help other people and what happened Roland Wessling The funding was granted by the CO Research Trust charity, which aims to improve gas safety, and Roland is now a trustee. Roland has also set up the Carbon Monoxide Science and Technology Sub-Group, which brings together experts to share research and produce ways to help people all over Britain stay safe. According to government statistics in 2023, there were thirty accidental deaths due to CO poisoning. Between 2015 and 2020, between 25 to 40 people passed away annually from accidentally breathing the deadly fumes. 'I never thought a cold BBQ could kill, but it did and I want others to realise this too,' he says. Advertisement Now Roland is begging all campers to buy a small portable carbon monoxide alarm for use in caravans, vans, and tents. He warns: 'They cost as little as a tenner and could save your life. 'I know if we'd have had one, Hazel would not have died, and that haunts me daily.' Roland explains that people in vans or canal boats often have wood burners, and in winter, if they close the doors and there isn't sufficient ventilation, that is the same risk of death or injury. 'The rise of van lifers and people using wood stoves and heaters makes me even more determined to share my story,' he says. Advertisement 'When you're camping, you relax, you don't think about carbon monoxide alarms. 'I'm begging you to make it part of your camping kit. 'The alternative is terrifying.' Roland continues to work with government safety committees. He has since remarried, and lives in Brighton with his wife, a 49-year-old artist. 'She helped me recover and grieve Hazel's loss and totally supports my campaign,' he says. Advertisement 'Please stay safe this coming summer season. 'Your life is worth spending a tenner on an alarm and protecting the people you love.' 5 Roland hopes he can prevent any other people from suffering as he did Credit: supplied
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I woke up next to girlfriend's lifeless body after deadly holiday mistake – then I was arrested on suspicion of murder
Roland Wessling has an urgent warning for all fellow campers this summer HOL AGONY I woke up next to girlfriend's lifeless body after deadly holiday mistake – then I was arrested on suspicion of murder Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WAKING up at 4am, Roland Wessling knew immediately that something was wrong. He and his long-term partner, Hazel Woodhams, 30, were camping on the Norfolk Broads, near Great Yarmouth, when tragedy struck. 5 He awoke the next morning to find himself in incredible pain and Hazel unresponsive Credit: supplied 5 Hazel had died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from their BBQ Credit: supplied Roland had awoken with a pounding headache, his brain was foggy, and pain ripped through his body. He was lying halfway out of the sleeping section of his tent with no memory of getting there, and as his eyes adjusted to the morning light, his fear grew. He says: 'I could barely move, but I instinctively turned to where Hazel was sleeping. 'I dragged myself over to her, and my whole world fell apart. 'I knew immediately that my beautiful, amazing partner was dead.' It was the 5th of July 2011, and now, after marking the 14th anniversary of her death, Roland now wants to warn others of the silent killer that took Hazel's life. Forensic archaeology lecturer Roland, now 54, lives in Brighton, East Sussex, says: 'Hazel died from carbon monoxide poisoning in a tent. 'The lethal fumes had come from a small BBQ that had been cold to the touch before we went to bed. 'My job now is to save other people's lives who, like Hazel and I, enjoyed camping and BBQs.' The couple met in 2005, when Hazel, then 25, was working for West Yorks Police Force as a crime scene investigator and attended a workshop Roland was giving on mass grave investigations, his forensic archaeology speciality. Expert's warning over common barbecue myths that pose 'dangerous health risk' as Brits' grilling blunders revealed The pair started dating in 2005 and soon moved in together. He says: 'We both loved kayaking and would spend weekends combining camping, the sport and visiting historic sites everywhere from Scotland to Yorkshire.' The pair had been kayaking on the Broadlands canals and relaxing after a hectic week in July 2011. Rolland recalls: 'We bought some sausages from a village butcher and some local cider and headed to the campsite for dinner. The couple had a four-person tent with two zip-up pods inside. The night before, a small bird had gotten in, so that evening the pair made sure any tiny holes were covered before starting the BBQ outside. Roland says: 'We had a little bucket-style coal BBQ. I lit the coals, and by 6pm the grill was hot enough. 'Hazel poured the cider while I cooked the sausages and jacket potatoes in the embers.' 'It was a lovely evening. We were both knackered from kayaking but having a lovely time enjoying a camp-cooked meal and the warm breeze.' 5 To add to his horror, initially Roland was arrested over her death. He was later de-arrested Credit: supplied 5 By 9pm, the couple decided to call it a night, especially because the weather had turned and possible overnight rain was forecast. Roland says: 'I was going to leave the BBQ outside, but with rain possible we didn't want a mucky mess of ash and gunk in the morning. 'The bucket and the ashes were cold to the touch. 'We simply popped it inside the tent, zipped the main door up and went to our sleeping pod.' Roland zipped up the entrance, and the couple chatted about their plans for more sightseeing in the morning before falling asleep. 'The next thing I knew, I woke up halfway out the now unzipped pod door in agony, and Hazel, who'd celebrated her 30th birthday a few weeks earlier, was dead,' he says. After discovering Hazel's lifeless body, Roland dragged himself to the tent's entrance and screamed for help. He says: 'There were barely any campers on the site. It felt like hours before someone came." An off-duty police officer was camping nearby and, alerted by Roland's screams, took control. He added: 'He called the police and within an hour I was in the back of an ambulance on oxygen being assessed and Hazel's body was being taken to the same hospital as me. 'To the police, it must have seemed like I was on drugs, as I was totally incoherent. 'There was no obvious reason a healthy woman would be dead, and they made the assumption drugs had been involved." Roland was arrested on suspicion of murder, although he was de-arrested just hours later when details of how she died emerged. 'Just hearing a police officer make the allegations broke me," he said. 'Nothing made sense. I had no explanation and was in dire need of hospital treatment.' At James Paget University Hospital in Great Yarmouth, Roland was rushed to the ER. Blood was taken from him and Hazel's body, and it showed both had suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. I'd lost my beloved partner. There were times I wanted to die Roland Wessling The pain Roland had felt when he woke up was compartment syndrome, caused when surgeons suspected he had fallen on his side trying to get up in the early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning. He says: 'I needed emergency surgery because the pressure of lying on my right arm meant pressure built up in a closed muscle compartment of the limb, cutting off blood flow and damaging nerves and muscle. 'The carbon monoxide poisoning meant the lack of oxygen was causing even faster muscle tissue death than normal. 'My damaged muscle was also swelling and leaking proteins into my blood, and had already begun harming my kidneys. Without intervention, every organ in his body would have broken down.' Roland underwent a fasciotomy, which means long, deep incisions are made in the skin and underlying fascia, the tough connective tissue around muscle compartments, are exposed. This stops the dangerous pressure building up inside the muscle compartment and restores blood, and helps stop the nerve and muscle damage. Roland spent a total of four weeks in intensive care and hospital and was told his arm would have to be amputated if the procedure and antibiotics to prevent infection didn't work. But he says that his only thoughts were with Hazel. He says: 'I was in physical agony in ICU, but the grief and mental agony of Hazel's death and not understanding what happened was worse. 'I'd lost my beloved partner. There were times I wanted to die.' After cops were told of the carbon monoxide blood results, he was de-arrested and no further police action was taken against him. 'Even today, the thought I was even considered a suspect in such a brutal crime is triggering,' Roland admits. At the inquest into Hazel's tragic passing, a verdict of accidental death by carbon monoxide was returned. He says: 'Carbon monoxide poisoning is something you associate with a leaking boiler, tightly enclosed spaces, and leaking gas. 'It's something you think would not happen in a tent in the middle of a nature reserve.' However, he soon discovered the source of the deadly gas, which had no smell or taste, was the cold BBQ the pair had brought into the tent. Roland adds: What we didn't know was that underneath the top layer of cold ashes, the ash is still hot and can be up to 300 degrees. 'That means the ashes are still releasing the deadly gas. 'Because we had been so cautious to keep the birds out, it meant that gas was getting trapped in the tent and building up to lethal levels. 'Hazel was poisoned in her sleep, and I likely survived because I was slightly taller and heavier. 'As part of my intensive care hospital treatment, I also underwent oxygen replacement therapy to reverse the effects of the carbon monoxide as well as the surgery.' The ashes in a BBQ - even once it has been extinguished - can release extremely high levels of the gas, as in Roland and Hazel's cases. In a tent, carbon monoxide quickly replaces almost all of the oxygen. Victims are suffocated, and organs are starved of the oxygen they need. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING? The symptoms of carbon monoxide are similar to the flu, although it doesn't cause a high temperature. Within two hours of a leak, an adult could lose balance, vision and memory – and eventually pass out. If you recognise any of these symptoms, it's important to go to your local Accident and Emergency department (A&E) immediately. Severe symptoms include: Intoxication: And impaired mental state And impaired mental state Vertigo: The feeling that the environment is spinning The feeling that the environment is spinning Ataxia: Loss of physical coordination, caused by damage to the brain and nervous system Loss of physical coordination, caused by damage to the brain and nervous system Breathlessness: And a rate of more than 100bpm And a rate of more than 100bpm Chest pain: Caused by a heart attack Caused by a heart attack Seizures Loss of consciousness: From this stage, death can strike within minutes. He says: 'Doctors explained the brain is particularly vulnerable and can be suffocated in as little as four minutes. 'If you survive like me, the effects worsen over the coming days and weeks, even with treatment. 'My symptoms included. difficulty with concentration, hearing and vision, and mood effects including anxiety and depression.' Roland admits that while he is lucky to survive, his grieving process for Hazel's death was almost impossible to get through. However, he was able to find an outlet for his grief. 'As a scientist, I knew Hazel would want me to find out how to help other people and what happened,' he says. Roland was invited to share his story at a stakeholders' forum as part of the 'All Party Committee on Carbon Monoxide Safety' at the Houses of Parliament in London. He says: 'I applied for funding for a PHD student to research the dangers of charcoal-related issues like those which caused Hazel's passing. As a scientist I knew Hazel would want me to find out how to help other people and what happened Roland Wessling The funding was granted by the CO Research Trust charity, which aims to improve gas safety, and Roland is now a trustee. Roland has also set up the Carbon Monoxide Science and Technology Sub-Group, which brings together experts to share research and produce ways to help people all over Britain stay safe. According to government statistics in 2023, there were thirty accidental deaths due to CO poisoning. Between 2015 and 2020, between 25 to 40 people passed away annually from accidentally breathing the deadly fumes. 'I never thought a cold BBQ could kill, but it did and I want others to realise this too,' he says. Now Roland is begging all campers to buy a small portable carbon monoxide alarm for use in caravans, vans, and tents. He warns: 'They cost as little as a tenner and could save your life. 'I know if we'd have had one, Hazel would not have died, and that haunts me daily.' Roland explains that people in vans or canal boats often have wood burners, and in winter, if they close the doors and there isn't sufficient ventilation, that is the same risk of death or injury. 'The rise of van lifers and people using wood stoves and heaters makes me even more determined to share my story,' he says. 'When you're camping, you relax, you don't think about carbon monoxide alarms. 'I'm begging you to make it part of your camping kit. 'The alternative is terrifying.' Roland continues to work with government safety committees. He has since remarried, and lives in Brighton with his wife, a 49-year-old artist. 'She helped me recover and grieve Hazel's loss and totally supports my campaign,' he says. 'Please stay safe this coming summer season. 'Your life is worth spending a tenner on an alarm and protecting the people you love.'
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Brits reveal top 30 'mic drop' moments: From nailing jokes to mastering tricky skills
A study of 2,000 UK adults has uncovered Brits' biggest everyday victories, with the majority of people feeling satisfied when they complete a task or get a joke right A study has pinpointed the little triumphs that Brits cherish most. They range from breezing through a series of green lights to nailing a tricky parallel parking spot. Other cherished moments included cracking a joke at just the right time and waking up naturally before your alarm buzzes. Also featured in the top 30 list was completing a tough crossword or puzzle, and catching something thrown at you without fumbling. A whopping 80 percent of people will internally celebrate these small victories, whether by grinning to themselves, sharing their success with friends, or even busting out a little victory dance. It turns out, 37 per cent have even received an applause for their so-called 'mic drop' moment. The research was commissioned by Direct Line Insurance, whose spokesperson Lucy Brooksbank said: "These moments show how great it feels when something in life goes exactly right. That whole euphoric feeling of that mic drop moment, which highlights 'That's how it's done'. "Whether it is a sharp one-liner that lands at the exact right time, a trick shot into the bin from across the room, or pulling off something unexpectedly slick, these little wins can feel like you have momentarily become the main character in your own movie. "They might be fleeting, but they leave a lasting impression." For a third of those who have had such an experience, the buzz can last for hours, and for 21 percent, it can make their entire day. More than four in 10 (42 per cent) find them extra satisfying when they are unexpected. With three quarters admitting they underestimate how satisfying these small wins can be. Lucy added: "These moments stick with us because they offer a powerful surge of confidence. "They make us feel sharper, cooler, more in control - even if just for a few seconds. "And when someone else witnesses it? That is just the cherry on top." TOP 30 MIC DROP MOMENTS: Knowing the answer to a quiz show Discovering when you go to pay for something it's actually discounted and cheaper than expected Opening a very tight jar Making someone laugh with a perfectly timed joke They open a new checkout at the supermarket and you go straight to the front Getting a compliment from a stranger Waking up naturally just before your alarm is about to go off Solving a crossword or puzzle clue Sailing through multiple green traffic lights in a row Ticking off everything on your to-do list Catching something which has been thrown at you quickly Running for the bus or train and just making it on time Phoning the doctor and getting an appointment straight away Fixing a tech issue for someone Parallel parking to perfection Fixing a typo before pressing 'send' Untangling a knot in jewellery or headphones Getting the last parking space in the car park Remembering someone's name just in time Someone else giving you their parking ticket with time left on it Thinking of a genius comeback in conversation – when it was needed Making a perfect cup of tea Standing up for someone who was being treated unfairly Remembering everything you need in the supermarket without a list Getting through airport security with no queue Predicting a plot twist in a book you are reading or film you are watching Throwing something into a bin from a distance in front of others Getting song lyrics right without having to Google it Winning an argument with a partner Nabbing a seat during rush hour on your commute
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Full list of UK airline hand luggage rules explained
RYANAIR boss Michael O'Leary said this week he was considering bigger bonuses for staff who identify passengers with oversized bags. And earlier this month, a leaked email showed that staff across major airports in the UK would also So, how much can you really get away with? Sophie Swiethowski shares everything you need to know about EASYJET The bag cannot exceed 45 x 36 x 20cm, including handles and wheels, and it must weigh no more than 15kg. Read More on Travel Anyone else wanting to take a larger carry-on will have to pay £5.99 (or more) in advance of flying. RYANAIR Ryanair has one of the smallest hand luggage allowances on this list. Like easyJet, every passenger is allowed one small, under-the-seat bag for free, measuring no greater than 40 x 20 x 25cm, although there is no specific weight limit. Most read in News Travel Larger carry-ons, to be stored in overhead lockers, cost from £6 and must not exceed 10kg. The maximum dimensions are 55 x 40 x 20cm. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival BRITISH AIRWAYS The UK's flag carrier has the most generous allowance of all the airlines listed here. All passengers are entitled to bring a free 'hand bag' to go under the seat. This can measure up to 40 x 30 x 15cm and has a large weight limit of 23kg, the same as Larger carry-ons are also included in the price of your ticket. Overhead bags can measure up to 56 x 45 x 25cm, including wheels and handles, with a weight limit of 23kg. JET2 When it comes to carry-on allowances, Jet2 is undoubtedly the winner of the low-cost airlines. Much like An under-the-seat bag must not exceed the limit of 40cm x 30cm x 15cm, although there are no weight restrictions. Larger bags can measure up to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and must weigh no more than 10kg. WIZZ AIR On a par with Ryanair, the maximum dimensions for a free and smaller carry-on bag are 40 x 30 x 20cm and this bag can weigh up to 10kg. Passengers with a larger bag will have to purchase a The priority ticket costs from €5 (£4.33) and also includes priority boarding. These 1 We share everything you need to know about hand-luggage restrictions for Brits' favourite airlines Credit: Alamy
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Full list of UK airline hand luggage rules explained
Airlines are incentivising employees to clamp down on carry-ons Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RYANAIR boss Michael O'Leary said this week he was considering bigger bonuses for staff who identify passengers with oversized bags. And earlier this month, a leaked email showed that staff across major airports in the UK would also receive payments for every bag confiscated from easyJet passengers ahead of boarding. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up So, how much can you really get away with? Sophie Swiethowski shares everything you need to know about hand-luggage restrictions for Brits' favourite airlines. EASYJET Every passenger is entitled to one free, small carry-on bag that must fit under the seat in front of them. The bag cannot exceed 45 x 36 x 20cm, including handles and wheels, and it must weigh no more than 15kg. EasyJet Plus members and those who have booked an Inclusive Plus fare (which also includes a 23kg checked bag) will be able to take a larger hand luggage bag with them, measuring up to 56 x 45 x 25cm. Anyone else wanting to take a larger carry-on will have to pay £5.99 (or more) in advance of flying. RYANAIR Ryanair has one of the smallest hand luggage allowances on this list. Like easyJet, every passenger is allowed one small, under-the-seat bag for free, measuring no greater than 40 x 20 x 25cm, although there is no specific weight limit. Larger carry-ons, to be stored in overhead lockers, cost from £6 and must not exceed 10kg. The maximum dimensions are 55 x 40 x 20cm. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival BRITISH AIRWAYS The UK's flag carrier has the most generous allowance of all the airlines listed here. All passengers are entitled to bring a free 'hand bag' to go under the seat. This can measure up to 40 x 30 x 15cm and has a large weight limit of 23kg, the same as checked baggage. Larger carry-ons are also included in the price of your ticket. Overhead bags can measure up to 56 x 45 x 25cm, including wheels and handles, with a weight limit of 23kg. JET2 When it comes to carry-on allowances, Jet2 is undoubtedly the winner of the low-cost airlines. Much like British Airways, customers can bring both a small and large bag on board for free. An under-the-seat bag must not exceed the limit of 40cm x 30cm x 15cm, although there are no weight restrictions. Larger bags can measure up to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and must weigh no more than 10kg. WIZZ AIR On a par with Ryanair, the maximum dimensions for a free and smaller carry-on bag are 40 x 30 x 20cm and this bag can weigh up to 10kg. Passengers with a larger bag will have to purchase a Wizz Priority ticket if they do not want to incur a charge at the gate. The priority ticket costs from €5 (£4.33) and also includes priority boarding. These overhead-locker bags cannot exceed the weight limit of 10kg and must comply with the maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 23cm.
