Birmingham's answer to Tom Hanks finally gets flight

Apr 22 2010 by Emily Bridgewater, Birmingham Mail

BIRMINGHAM’S answer to Tom Hanks finally escaped a six day limbo to begin a new life with his wife in the Philippines as flights began to leave the UK.

Dave Fenton, aged 50, handed over the keys to his Walsall home last Thursday and, with bags in hand, headed to Birmingham airport to begin his new life.

But with flights grounded and no home to go back to he found himself living in the airport’s terminal, sleeping on coin-operated massage chairs and eating from vending machines. Yesterday he finally got the news he’d been praying for – a flight out to his wife Luz, 33.

“It’s been an experience,” he said, “I never want to see another of those vibrating chairs in my life.

“I might be able to look back and laugh one day, now I just want to get going.

“The Emirates staff here have done all they can to help but of course their hands have been tied too.

“I’m just happy to be going, the limbo is finally over.”