LINCOLN, N.H. — More than 40 students from the United Kingdom, who were visiting New Hampshire, last week, are stuck in the United States after their school said their passports were destroyed at the hotel, where the group was staying.
Kate Hibbs, the head teacher of Barr Beacon Head School in Wallsall, England told News 9 on Sunday that 42 students and 4 staff members are currently waiting in New York to receive their emergency documents after 41 of their passports were destroyed by the hotel.
They were on a ski trip that started on Feb. 17, and were expected to return home on Feb. 25.
An itinerary for the trip, posted school website, said that the students were staying at the Kancamagus Lodge, which is in Lincoln.
A representative for the hotel told News 9 that she had no comment to share about the situation.
At this time, the students have a safe place to stay in New York. However, Hibbs said funds for their trip are starting to run low, given the unexpected four-day extension.
One parent said that the situation has been incredibly stressful, as he awaits word on when his son will be able to come back to the U.K.
Lincoln Police told News 9 that their officers responded to the incident, but could not share any additional information, given that fact that the situation involved minors.
It is still unclear exactly how or why the passports were destroyed.
One resort manager in the area told News 9 that it is not unusual for hotels to hold the passports of student groups, for the purpose of keeping them safe.
“We always know it’s a very risky situation with their passports. So, when they arrive at the hotel, the chaperones collect them and put them into a safety deposit box,” said Mike Simon, general manager at Mountain Club on Loon.
The school told News 9 that they hope the emergency documents for the students and staff will be ready by Monday, so the group can fly home on Tuesday.
Source : WMUR TV
