A FRAIL pensioner has spent the past year in and out of hospital after a holiday from hell, which also left her husband injured.

Constance and Raymond Heath both suffered serious falls after cabin crew refused to help them down the steps of an aeroplane – and even barked at them “get off the plane”.

Their ordeal, described as “hell on earth”, began just minutes after the Benfleet couple landed in the Cape Verde islands for what should have been a dream holiday.

Both had difficulty walking, relying on sticks to get around, and so had pre-arranged with tour operator Thomson for someone to help them disembark the plane.

But when the airport’s local handling agents failed to turn up, the flight crew became concerned about missing its return flight take off slot and insisted the Heaths should get off alone.

Raymond, 82, explained: “The crew began to usher us out of the aircraft along with other special needs passengers – even the pilot came out to see what was causing the delay.

“One of the cabin crew shouted at us to “hurry up” as they only had a 25-minute turnaround time.

“When we approached the top of the steps, I spoke to the cabin crew standing at the exit with us and queried why no escort?”

“They replied that it was not their job. As we began struggling down the steps, we heard someone shout ‘get off the plane’ and the next minute lost our footing and fell from the top of the stairs to the runway.”

Constance, 79, was knocked unconscious and suffered serious head injuries and bruises.

She was admitted to a local hospital, then let out four days later on Christmas Day 2009.

However she then suffered a serious relapse and spent the rest of the holiday in a hospital bed. Raymond suffered an injury to his shoulder.

Since returning to the UK, Constance has been in and out of Southend Hospital suffering relapses and spending months at a time laid up in bed.

Raymond has been warned it is unlikely Constance will recover as she is now so fragile.

The couple are now seeking compensation from Thomson, but the company has so far denied liability and refused to re-imburse the couple’s £3,650 holiday costs.

Raymond added: “My wife is now permanently a bed patient. To put it bluntly out lives are now ruined. We are helpless and I am angry and distressed to see my wife in such agony.”

A spokesman for Thomson said: “Thomson would like to assure all of our customers that we regard their health and safety in the highest regard and we are sorry to hear of Mr and Mrs Heath’s injuries. As they have sought legal representation, it would be inappropriate for us to make further comment on the case. This is so as not to prejudice future legal proceedings.”