Shock for Worthing day-trippers after illegal immigrant found

Around 40 passengers on a Worthing Coaches trip to Cite Europe, in Calais, France, were left stunned when immigration officers at the ferry port found the hidden man, believed to be an Afghan national, during routine checks.

After the coach drivers were questioned by port officials for around an hour, the group were allowed to continue on their way.

Passenger Rod Melling, from Worthing, said the man was believed to have hidden on the coach when it was parked at Cite Europe.

He added: "The drivers said they could be in serious trouble for having not spotted this person when they left Cite Europe and that they had been told by the officials they could be liable for a fine of up to 2,000.

"However, after further delay they were apparently told they would not be prosecuted, at which news the passengers all applauded, as we liked the drivers and would not have wanted them to be held responsible for this incident."

Paul Barringer, sales director of Lucketts Travel, the parent company of Worthing Coaches, said: "The drivers were spoken to by the authorities.

"They checked the circumstances and were perfectly satisfied the drivers and us had followed the normal procedures.

"Our coaches make the trip several times a week and it's the first time in my three years with this company I've known it happen. It's a very rare occurrence."

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