HEROIC Huntingdon train attack victim Stephen Crean is being whisked off to Portugal by British Airways after Ryanair refused him a refund.
Nottingham Forest fan Crean, 61, put himself in harm’s way by confronting the knife-wielding attacker who hospitalised 11 people on a London-bound train earlier this month.
He sustained multiple stab wounds and was unable to make his Ryanair flight to Austria four days later for Forest’s Europa League meeting with Sturm Graz.
Despite the exceptional circumstances and his selfless actions, Crean was refused a refund by Ryanair bosses.
The airline told SunSport: “All Ryanair air fares are non-refundable, which is why we strongly recommend passengers take out travel insurance in order to protect themselves if they can’t travel.”
Crean, who was given a hero’s welcome at the City Ground on Sunday, called the snub “sad and childish”.
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But British Airways have now stepped in to offer him an all-expenses-paid trip to watch Forest on a Portuguese away day in January.
The airline has provided two return business class tickets to Porto and two nights in a five-star hotel for Crean and a plus-one.
Forest are scheduled to play Sporting Braga on January 22.
British Airways Chief Customer Officer Calum Laming said: “Stephen’s actions that day were heroic. In a moment of terrifying danger, he put the safety and welfare of others ahead of his own.
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“We’re delighted to offer him this gesture as a small way of expressing our gratitude and recognition for his remarkable courage and bravery.”
Crean responded: “So many people have been so kind since the incident happened, it’s been incredibly overwhelming.
“I’m really grateful to British Airways for making this happen and I can’t wait to get on the plane to Portugal to watch the Reds hopefully bring home a win.”
Ryanair’s no-refund stance sparked huge backlash among Forest fans, who called for a boycott of the airline.
A JustGiving page has raised more than £62,000 for Crean, who needs plastic surgery on his badly damaged left hand.
Forest donated £10,000 themselves and have offered Crean a free trip to a European away match on the team jet.
