Wife's Seizure Leads to Airport Drama and Unexpected Fine

It’s a shocking scenario that no one ever expects to face: a woman has been left not only shaken but also outraged after receiving a £100 fine while dealing with a serious medical issue. Sara Badr-Andrews and her husband, David Andrews, were penalized for stopping in the pick-up and drop-off zone at East Midlands Airport (EMA) on July 24, all because Sara had an absence seizure right as they were exiting the airport after a trip to Dublin.

Despite the couple only halting for a mere two minutes, they were bewildered to discover a parking charge notice in their mailbox two weeks later. “It felt so unjust,” Sara recounted. If you have a story like this to share, feel free to reach out! The couple initially appealed the fine, but Excel Parking Services (EPS) quickly rejected their request. Thankfully, after Nottinghamshire Live intervened by contacting both EPS and EMA, the airport took notice and instructed the parking firm to cancel the fine.

An EMA spokesperson clarified the regulations, stating, “Red line no stopping restrictions are in place around the airport to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the airport at all times.” The spokesperson also expressed sympathy for Sara’s medical emergency, saying, “We are sorry to hear about the medical episode Mrs. Badr-Andrews suffered while at the airport, and in these circumstances, we have instructed EPS to cancel the fine.”

Although grateful for the money saved, Sara was still critical of how the situation was initially handled. “That’s just not good enough,” she said. “People need to be more aware. We’ve been through a lot of stress, and it hasn't been easy for me.” It's a wake-up call for both airport authorities and airport-goers about the importance of understanding real-life emergencies.

Reflecting on the distressing incident, David, who is 66, recounted the immediate moments leading up to the fine. He said, “She didn’t look well... She mentioned she was 'having a do,' which is her way of saying she was having a seizure. At that moment, I dropped the parking card, came through the gate,