Latest news with #FionaRobinson
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
My autistic son ran off at airport and boarded easyJet flight to WRONG country – despite not having ticket or passport
A MUM told of her nightmare yesterday after her son ran off at an airport before boarding a plane to the wrong country. Fiona Robinson, 48, was buying souvenirs ahead of a flight from Minorca to Stansted when Ruben, 14, had an autism episode. 6 6 6 Incredibly, with no ticket or passport, he got on an easyJet plane flying to Milan at 9.25am on Monday. On landing in the Italian city, agitated Ruben was met by police and medics, taken to hospital and sedated. Fiona flew to Barcelona, then Milan, and yesterday the reunited pair travelled home to Kettering, Northants. Relieved Fiona said: 'You think stuff like this can only happen in the movies. 'It's been a nightmare. He has severe autism, he won't have had a clue what was happening to him. I'm just glad he's safe and sound. 'Ruben had lost his ear defenders on holiday and was getting stressed, so I told him we'd go soon. There was a big queue in duty free. Ruben said, 'Mum, I'm gonna go', then he was gone.' He was gone for four hours before security and police realised he was airside, and plane crew confirmed he was aboard. Mum-of-three Fiona, who has mobility issues after a knee op, said the week abroad was their first trip since Covid, adding: 'Ruben deserved a holiday but next time we'll stay in the UK.' She is 'upset and angry' at easyJet, which is investigating. The airline said: 'Our team and the authorities met the passenger in Milan and we provided arrangements for a family member to meet them. 'We remain in touch to offer our support.' Travel chaos as TWO flights have mid-air emergencies within A MINUTE at major UK airport 6 6 6
Belfast Telegraph
22-04-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Rare birds which once faced extinction spotted on Rathlin Island
Corncrakes, once widespread across Northern Ireland, faced extinction in the 1990s partly due to changes in agricultural practices. Their gradual comeback is the result of over a decade of work through the RSPB NI's 'Giving Corncrake a Home' project, which helped re-establish the species on Rathlin Island in 2014. Since then, their return each spring has become a welcome and hopeful sign of conservation success. The project brings together landowners, farmers, and over 45 volunteers to create and maintain the habitats Corncrakes need to breed. Each winter, volunteers carefully dig up nettle rhizomes from various sites across Northern Ireland. These are cleaned, transported, and replanted on Rathlin to ensure the birds have suitable cover when they arrive in spring. Liam McFaul, RSPB NI Rathlin Reserves Warden, said he is delighted to see the birds return to Rathlin Island. 'The return of the Corncrake to Rathlin Island each year is a celebration,' he said. "It shows that conservation works, and with persistence and community support, we can make a real difference for nature. "This red-listed species depends on the habitats we've created, and it's heartening to see those efforts paying off.' Fiona Robinson, Volunteer Coordinator for RSPB NI, added: 'We're so grateful to the volunteers, farmers and landowners who support this work year after year. " Without them, the future for the Corncrake in Northern Ireland would look very different.'
