Shropshire pupils stranded by Superstorm Sandy return

The 47 pupils from Lakelands School in Ellesmere were reunited with their families in the early hours of this morning after spending a week longer in the Big Apple than they had planned to.

The pupils, who were accompanied by eight staff, landed at Heathrow Airport at about 10pm yesterday.

They travelled back to the county by coach.

The pupils had been due to fly back on October 30 after flying out on October 27.

They became stuck in the city after their scheduled flight was cancelled as the storm battered the east US coast, leaving dozens dead and millions without power.

During their stay the pupils were forced to spend three days hunkered down in their hotel.

Lee Gorton, of Dudleston Heath, near Ellesmere, said his son Daniel, a 14-year-old in year 10, was in high spirits after making it safely back home.

He said: "He is now home safe and sound.

"We got a call at about 2am to say they would be back at 3am.

"All the parents seemed pleased to see the children and they all seemed to be happy.

"Everybody was pleased and glad to be home.

"He has got lots of stories to tell but he went straight to bed when we got home. I think it had been a long day for him.

"He's been away a long time."

He said before Daniel was back they had spoken to him over the internet and said the teachers had looked after them all well.

Parent Angela Roberts said she was also pleased to have her 15-year-old son Jac back home safe and sound.

Pupils from two other county schools were also left stranded in New York by the storm.

Youngsters and staff from Priory School, in Shrewsbury, arrived back in the county on Saturday and pupils from Idsall School in Shifnal got back yesterday.