'Eurostar Disruption Leaves Terminally Ill Child's Dream Trip in Limbo'

A mother’s joy turns to despair as a Make-A-Wish trip to Disneyland Paris for her terminally ill daughter is thwarted by Eurostar disruptions caused by the discovery of an unexploded bomb in Paris.

A mother from Birmingham, Toni Mannion, is heartbroken after the cancellation of a highly anticipated Make-A-Wish trip to Disneyland Paris for her five-year-old daughter, Daisy, who has a terminal illness. The trip, aimed at creating cherished memories, was disrupted following the discovery of a World War Two unexploded bomb near the Gare du Nord station in Paris. The authorities defused the explosive on Friday, assuring commuters of the resumption of normal Eurostar services on Saturday.

Daisy, who suffers from a rare metabolic disorder known as Nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH), relies on a wheelchair, is non-verbal, and experiences severe epilepsy. Her mother, 38, expressed her deep disappointment, sharing, "We've been planning this for such a long time. Make-A-Wish charity paid for everything from start to finish." The emotional toll of the cancellation was palpable, with Mannion stating, "I cried, we all cried. We've been really looking forward to it. Her [Daisy's] life is limited; we just never know how long we've got left with her."

In light of the disruptions, many Britons found themselves stranded, facing uncertainty about their return to the UK. Some, however, like Vicky and her mother Jo, chose to embrace the unexpected situation, opting to extend their stay in Paris despite initial concerns. "We're going to make the most of it. We just walked up to the Eiffel tower and are going to have a walk around the city," said Vicky, who had initially planned just a short trip to the French capital.

Travelers expressed frustration over the Eurostar app crashing, complicating their attempts to secure alternative transportation. Bob and Mavis from Nottingham were among those who faced difficulties, commenting on the lengthy wait times to access the app. After hours of frustration, they finally managed to book a train for Saturday's journey to Paris but faced unexpected hotel costs in London overnight.

The Eurostar's chief safety and stations officer, Simon Lejeune, extended his apologies for the disruption as travelers and families like the Mannions navigate the unexpected challenges caused by the bomb threat.