05 July 07
Near miss for Barrhead Travel in Glasgow
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THE FLAMING Jeep Cherokee which rammed
into Glasgow airport on Saturday in a failed suicide bombing missed
Barrhead Travel’s agency by just five metres and agents had a narrow
escape.
Branch manager Carla Parker recounted:
“Some customers had just walked out when we heard a repeated banging
noise of the jeep ramming against the back wall of the shop.
"Fire alarms were ringing and we
were shocked to see people running away from the entrance.
“It wasn’t until we made it to the
street that we realised how close it was.
“What could have happened doesn’t
bear thinking about,” she added.
Having suffered extensive water damage
from fire hoses, agency staff staged a massive clean-up operation,
enabling them to reopen just 48 hours after the attack.
Managing director Sharon Munro praised
the Scottish public for their resolve.
“Terrorists may think they are
creating a climate of fear, but on Sunday our shops recorded very
healthy business,” she said.
“The patience shown by our clients
and the many hundreds who endured long queues outside the airport has
been inspirational.”
Staff at King World Travel gave up
their weekends to cover the phones as worried customers sought
information on delays.
Managing director Tom King said:
“There were issues for those who missed budget flights as part of
dynamically packaged deals, but everyone was sorted by close of play on
Sunday.”
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