Police in Venice step in to pay for the flights home of British pensioners stranded and destitute after she was robbed in Egypt and the plane diverted to Italy when her husband fell ill

Kind-hearted Italian police stepped in and paid for a British couple to fly home for Christmas when they were stranded on holiday after a robbery.

Officers carried out a celebratory crackdown after learning the couple had cut short their holiday in Egypt when they were targeted by thieves and decided to fly home.

But her misfortune continued after the man – who has not been identified – fell ill on the return flight and had to divert the plane and make an unscheduled landing.

The couple, who have not yet been named, were in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada in the middle of winter earlier this month.

But what should have been a relaxing outing for the couple in their 60s turned into a nightmare after the robbery. They decided to cut their trip short and decided to go home.

Their plane had to land in the Italian city of Venice (file photo)

However, their wonderful misadventures continued after the man fell ill on their EasyJet flight to Manchester and the plane had to land in the Italian city of Venice.

Last Monday, paramedics met the plane and the man was taken to hospital, where he was treated by doctors for several days for an unknown illness.

However, since they were unable to buy a new ticket to travel home after their release, the Venice police stepped in and paid for the couple’s flight home for Christmas.

A Venice police spokesman said: “The man fell ill on a flight between Egypt and Manchester and the plane was diverted to Venice.”

“He was treated in hospital for a few days and when he was discharged it turned out they didn’t have the money to pay for his trip home.”

“The officers collected money and paid for the ticket home so they could get back in time for Christmas.”

Flight registration websites show the flight left Egypt last week and then diverted to Venice after the captain decided to make an unscheduled stop when the man fell ill.

A spokesperson for easyJet told MailOnline:

“We can confirm that flight EZY2252 from Hurghada to Manchester was diverted to Venice on 18 December because a passenger on board required urgent medical attention.”

“Paramedics met the plane on arrival and the flight then continued to Manchester.”

“The safety and well-being of our customers and crew is always easyJet’s top priority.”

“We have attempted to contact the booker and travel agent to provide further assistance, including a free hotel stay and a flight home.”