Eight-month pregnant mother, 38, and her family are left waiting SEVEN HOURS for AA recovery on UK’s hottest day of the year after their car broke down 300 miles from home
- Laura Jenkins was returning home from holiday when engine failed in the heat
- She waited seven hours in sweltering conditions with husband and daughter
- They were forced to spend an extra night in Wales before a hire car was sorted
A heavily-pregnant mother and her family were left waiting seven hours for the AA on the hottest day of the year after their car broke down 300 miles from home.
Laura Jenkins, 38, was returning home from holiday in Wales when her engine failed in the extreme heat – and she dialled the breakdown team.
Laura – who is eight month pregnant – waited from the early afternoon until the late evening for assistance as she sweltered in the heat along with her husband and nine-year-old daughter.
She was trying to make her way home on the six-hour trip to Newcastle upon Tyne from a break in Pendine when their Kia car broke down shortly into the journey.
Laura – who is 35 weeks pregnant – waited seven hours for assistance as she sweltered in the hear along with her husband, Justin, and nine-year-old daughter, Dacey-Faith
She was trying to make her way home on the six-hour trip to Newcastle upon Tyne from a holiday in Pendine, West Wales, when their Kia car broke down shortly into the journey
The family called the AA at 2.30pm but say a recovery lorry did not arrive until 9.30pm and they were forced to spend an extra night in Wales before a hire car could be sorted to get them home.
Laura and husband Justin described it as a ‘nightmare’ especially at her stage and with the extreme heat.
She said: ‘I am a high risk pregnancy, and can go into labour early, I have been starting to struggle with my blood pressure and I can feel my body changing.’
Laura said they cut their holiday short so daughter nine-year-old Dacey-Faith could attend a school ceremony at Newcastle United FC.
She said: ‘She was so excited, and we wanted to come back a day earlier so she could have a good night’s rest, but now she’s just missed out and is absolutely gutted.
‘We have had to try and keep her positive, getting her to read books and keep her entertained but she’s distraught.
Laura said the family ‘bought loads of lollies’ as they waited for the AA to arrive.
She said: ‘We’re hoping that the AA will reimburse us for the hotel and breakfast. We just needed to get some sleep, and we were told the AA would ring us but they haven’t, and again I have had to chase.’
Upon returning to Newcastle she ended up having to go to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, because of the impact of the heat.
The family called the AA at 2.30pm but say a recovery lorry did not arrive until 9.30pm and they were forced to spend an extra night in Wales before a hire car could be sorted to get them home
Her husband Justin, 48, said: ‘It’s just been an absolute nightmare, with cars constantly cancelled, AA blaming the car rental company and them saying it is the AA’s fault.
‘The recovery drivers have been amazing, but the process has been horrendous, just absolutely shocking. The boys have done everything they can.’
An AA spokesperson said: ‘We are sorry for the delays in Mrs Jenkins’ recovery and issues with onward travel which fell short of the standards we expect.
We have been in contact with Mrs Jenkins to apologise and have ensured we have covered any costs incurred due to their overnight stay, plus a gesture of goodwill for the inconvenience caused.
‘We deal with over nine million breakdowns every year and do our best to reach our members as quickly as possible.
‘This breakdown occurred on one of our busiest days due to the heatwave and the associated challenges that came with it. Our apologies once again go to Mrs Jenkins and her family.’
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