A former Ripon mayor has told of the terrifying moment he and his wife were left stranded in New York during severe blizzards.
Stuart Martin MBE said he, his wife April and two friends were left lost for hours while trying to find a hotel room after their return flight to the UK was cancelled during Storm Hernando.
The group had been due to fly home from JFK International Airport when the storm struck.
However, after their flight was cancelled, they were advised to find their own accommodation and leave the terminal.
At the height of the storm, temperatures fell to 21F (-6C) and New York’s Central Park recorded 15 inches (38cm) of snowfall, according to the National Weather Center.
After being told to make their own arrangements, the group called a number of nearby hotels but were told they were full.
They were ejected from the airport and forced out into the blizzard, pulling hand luggage through heavy snow and strong winds.
Stuart said they were forced to walk in the road as it felt safer than the pavement, with icy conditions making it difficult to stay upright.
His wife, who is registered disabled and suffers from leukaemia, fell in the snow at one point. The group were also running low on medication.
Stuart told Your Harrogate:
"Without sounding overdramatic, it was a life and death situation and we didn’t need to be pushed into that situation.
"We could’ve stayed in the airport where it was dry and warm, but they pushed us out.
"It was just so scary. I was incredibly worried not just for April but for the whole group."
Stuart and April, who have now returned home to Ripon, said the ordeal left them shaken for days.
Stuart added:
"It was really difficult. There was nobody there offering any support to any of the passengers and everybody was dazed.
"It was just a crazy situation and there was no emergency plan in place from the airport or British Airways."
British Airways has since issued an apology for all those who were affected by the experience.
In a letter sent directly to Stuart, a British Airways spokesperson said:
"We want to offer our sincere apologies for the horrendous experience you've had.
"This is certainly not the level of service we aim to provide, and are genuinely sorry for the stress and inconvenience it caused."
British Airways have also offered to reimburse customers for their expenses during Storm Hernando.
LISTEN: Stuart Martin joined Pete Egerton on Your Harrogate to share his experience:
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