Absolute mayhem’: Eurostar passengers tell of stress and tears

by | Jan 10, 2024 | Stress | 0 comments

Thousands of passengers faced disappointment and chaos during the New Year’s Eve period as Eurostar had to cancel approximately 30,000 journeys due to a flooded tunnel under the Thames. Passengers expressed frustration over the lack of communication, with some finding out about the cancellations only hours after their scheduled departure times.

Travel Plans Derailed

  • Sean Winterbottom and his partner, Amy, were among the affected passengers. Their romantic New Year’s Eve trip to Paris was ruined as their 9.31 am train was canceled.
  • Andrew and Fiona Eyre from Sheffield faced mayhem and described the lack of communication as “disgusting.” Their 10.31 am train was officially canceled at 4 pm, leaving them in uncertainty.

Passenger Experiences

  • Sean described the situation at St Pancras as chaotic and stressful, with many canceled trains and distressed passengers.
  • Andrew and Fiona Eyre criticized the lack of communication, stating that it was obvious something was wrong, but passengers received minimal information. They only found out about the flooding from the news.

Coping with Disruptions

  • Some passengers had to abandon their Paris plans and console themselves with alternative arrangements.
  • Sean Winterbottom returned to St Pancras to see off his daughter on a train that was running on time after facing chaos the previous day.
  • Andrew and Fiona Eyre, after spending a night in a London hotel, managed to book a train on Sunday, hoping for a smoother journey.

The Eurostar disruptions left many passengers frustrated and disappointed, with the lack of information compounding their travel woes. The impact of the cancellations affected holiday plans, leaving travelers to cope with unexpected challenges during what should have been a celebratory period.