Hope for Mansfield man stranded in Columbia as Foreign Office confirms two flights for Brits

William ‘Bill’ Dobbin contacted the Chad Times after being stranded in a hotel in Cartagena.

The 58-year-old from Mandeen Grove, had gone on holiday, for two weeks in March, just before the coronavirus lockdown.

The Derbyshire County Council worker has been stuck in the Hernandez Suite Hotel for the past seven weeks, and called for the Chad to help, after his family were getting worried back in the UK.

And after reporter Dale Spridgeon contacted Mansfield MP Ben Bradley and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office it has been confirmed that help is on hand.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office said that staff at the Embassy in Bogota had been in contact with Mr Dobbin since March 25, and were providing information on flights back to the UK as they become available, including information on the two upcoming charter flights recently announced.

A FCO statement said: “We recognise British tourists abroad are finding it difficult to return to the UK because of the unprecedented international travel and domestic restrictions that are being introduced around the world – often with very little or no notice.

“Last week we announced charter flights from Colombia, Argentina and Honduras that will bring home over 900 British travellers and have contacted Brits in these countries so they can book a place on these flights and return home.”

According to the FCO teams are working around the clock to make sure British people who need help are receiving support.

It advises people to read and follow the FCO travel advice and consult local authority advice. People should contact their airline, tour operator and travel insurer to find out what support they can offer.

The FCO provides information on what to do and who to contact if you require financial assistance abroad. It also has online guidance for British people travelling and living overseas following the outbreak of coronavirus.

Bill said: “I have just received an email from British Embassy that they are arranging planes back to the UK. I am now going to try and book it.”