Colette McAreavey (Image: Colette McAreavey/MEN Media)
Belfast-native and cancer survivor, Colette McAreavey, 75, was on her journey back home after spending quality time with her daughter and two grandchildren in Manchester when she was subjected to what she described as an “intimidating” security check.
The ordeal began after Ms McAreavey, who had endured bladder cancer for eight years, informed a security officer about her stoma bag while being patted down.
She told the Manchester Evening News: "I went through the x-ray machine and then was told to go over to a woman who would pat me down, which was fine.
"I told her I have a stoma and you can probably feel it. She then told me to follow her."
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Colette was travelling through Manchester Airport (Image: Kenny Brown / Manchester Evening News)
Despite having her stoma bag for over a year, following several surgeries, Colette candidly admits she's yet to fully adapt to having it.
She said: "Although I have had the stoma for a couple of years, I know that I haven't accepted it 100 per cent."
In the private room, two security personnel maintained that a further search was mandatory. Colette said: "I said I've already gone through the x-ray machine, and I was quite happy to be patted down, but this I find highly objectionable and intimidating."
Yet, she was instructed to lower her trousers and manually rub her stoma bag while her hand underwent scanning.
She said there was "no empathy" in the way she was treated, which she described as "awful".
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Manchester Airport responded by clarifying their full-body scanners only identify irregularities and more detailed checks are sometimes required. They added past traveller feedback suggested a preference for passengers to touch their own stomas rather than a third party.
Colette’s ordeal has left a lasting impression, making her apprehensive about future air travel. She has urged Manchester Airport to rethink their approach to ensure no one else undergoes a similar experience.
A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: “The safety of our passengers and staff is of paramount importance and our security processes must be applied consistently. We’ve looked into the incident in question and are satisfied the process was carried out in line with statutory security regulations, in a private area, with a chaperone.
“Our security colleagues receive training on how to conduct any necessary searches privately, discreetly, and compassionately. We are, however, sorry to hear this passenger found her experience distressing and would welcome any feedback from her on how she feels the process could be improved.”
This article was crafted with the help of AI tools, which speed up Express.co.uk’s editorial research. A news editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to readercomplaints@reachplc.com.
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