Lunch at airport. Shopping in NYC. Luggage on M3. (From Bournemouth Echo)

Lunch at airport. Shopping in NYC. Luggage on M3.

7:00pm Monday 23rd June 2008

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A HOLIDAYMAKER endured a miserable trip after her suitcase was thrown from a National Express coach and left on the motorway.

Kerry Morton, 31, was travelling to Heathrow to jet off to New York when her belongings were unceremoniously dumped on the M3, thanks to a faulty luggage hold.

On arrival at Heathrow, Ms Morton discovered her case was missing, only to receive a call from the Highways Agency telling her it had been picked up near junction five.

She said National Express had showed minimal regard for her inconvenience, nor the danger the falling case could have caused on the motorway.

Ms Morton said: "I can't express the extent of distress this has caused and it has completely overshadowed the enjoyment and memory of our holiday.

"The first day was very reluctantly spent shopping - in the clothes I had travelled in for 13 hours - for everything from a toothbrush to a coat and scarf."

Ms Morton said the driver of the 9.35am coach from Parkstone had twice stopped on the hard shoulder and got out to check the baggage hold.

"On neither occasion did he inform the worried passengers of what was happening," she added.

National Express's initial offer of £100 compensation was slammed by Ms Morton as "unacceptable" for the distress and inconvenience caused.

But after the Daily Echo got involved National Express amended their offer.

A company spokesman said: "We apologise for the delay in resolving this issue and as a gesture of goodwill we have refunded all costs incurred by Miss Morton above the initial agreed compensation of £100.

"The bag was located prior to Miss Morton's departure to New York and all items contained were returned following her trip.

"We have fully investigated the issue and hope to have restored confidence in our service."

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