Hero pilot helps elderly couple

"I've been in the travel business for 25 years and never heard of this happening." Photo / Flickr

A pilot allowed an elderly couple to get off a plane moments before take-off so they could visit their dying grandson in a hospital.

The couple received a received a text message about their relative's condition, while on board the Etihad Airways plane bound for Abu Dhabi.

When they received the text message, the plane was already taxiing towards a runway at Manchester Airport.

However, when the couple told the crew, the pilot immediately turned the plane around and headed back to the gate.

The airline even arranged for their luggage to be picked up and for a car couple, so the couple were able to rush to their grandson's bedside.

Their grandson died later that same night.

The couple's travel agent, Becky Stephenson, told the BBC: "I've been in the travel business for 25 years and never heard of this happening."

She added: "My customers were so grateful that staff were very helpful and they were taken care of."