Mum 'had to beg' airline over girl's peanut allergy

Savannah was heading to Disneyland Paris to take part in a dance show

The mother of a young girl with a severe peanut allergy has said she had to "beg" an airline to help protect the seven-year-old.

Sarah Bacon, from Wigan, said she told the Air France cabin crew about Savannah's allergy, which means even particles of peanuts in the air can cause a potentially life-threatening reaction.

But she said where staff on other planes she had flown on had been willing to make an announcement asking people not to eat the snacks on board, the crew on the Manchester to Paris were "reluctant" to do so.

Air France has been approached for comment.

Savannah was diagnosed with multiple allergies at the age of six months

Ms Bacon said she and her daughter were on their way to a dance performance Savannah was taking part in at Disneyland.

She said a flight attendant notified the people in the seats around Savannah, but that she had to push for a general announcement to be made.

But she said on the return leg the attendant initially refused to make an announcement, forcing her to notify the passengers around her herself.

She said a "muffled" announcement was eventually made after several requests.

"I felt like I had to beg for assistance," Ms Bacon said.

She said she wanted airline staff to have better training, given passengers were at higher risk in confined spaces like planes.

Ms Bacon said: "We always carry two EpiPens but there's never a guarantee that they will work."

'Life or death'

She said the incident had made her anxious about flying in future, including to Florida for a holiday later this year.

"It makes me so anxious, it has affected me mentally," she said.

"All we can do is trust other passengers and staff to keep us safe. We want more knowledge and training.

"I don't think people understand when they hear the message that for some people it is life or death."

Ms Bacon said she had travelled with Savannah about 10 times before on various airlines and "never had an issue".