Disabled passenger's shock at being removed from BA flight minutes before take-off

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Luke Kenshole, who has cerebral palsy, was on Heathrow to US flight
But says after sitting down, staff told him he was not allowed to fly out
Describes how incident left him feeling like he had 'lost his independence'

Published: 10:38 EST, 12 August 2015 | Updated: 12:30 EST, 12 August 2015

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A disabled passenger says British Airways made him 'look stupid' after ejecting him off a flight to the US just moments before take-off.

After passing through security and taking his seat on the plane from London Heathrow to Philadelphia, Luke Kenshole, who has cerebral palsy, claims staff decided he was unfit to travel - and he was removed as passengers watched on.

The Devon man, who uses a wheelchair, is now demanding an apology from the airline, saying he was left 'upset' by the incident.

Despite passing through airport security with no problems, Mr Kenshole was ejected from the BA flight

Mr Kenshole said: 'They had ample time to address the issue while I was checking in and going through security.

'But I had boarded the flight along with everyone else before I was told I would have to leave the plane.'

'It's the way they went about it that upset me.

'It was unacceptable. I want BA to admit they handled it wrong and make sure no-one has to go through what I did.

'They should have said from the word go I couldn't fly, but I was all set to go and they decided at the last minute I was unfit to fly. They made me look stupid in front of people.'

Mr Kenshole, who has flown with BA to Philadelphia on his own before, was jetting out for a two-week holiday to visit a friend in the US.

He claims he passed through security with no issues, and that his luggage had also made it onto the flight.

Mr Kenshole claims he had settled into his seat on the BA flight when staff told him he would not be allowed to fly out (file photo)

Luke was on the plane before anyone asked him whether he was able to take himself to the toilet, and he said he needed assistance to get onto the wheelchair.

He was then told he would have to get off the plane for health and safety reasons.

Following the incident, Mr Kenshole was offered a discount on his £921 ticket.

The 32-year-old was forced to call his mother and her partner to collect him from the airport after he was returned to the terminal.

'They had to travel for 18 hours that day,' he added.

'This incident affected everyone's plans. My friend and I were really looking forward to seeing each other and were going to spend a week at Virginia Beach. I'm upset I'm not in America right now.'

He has said that for the first time in years, he had 'lost his independence,' and being show off to be disabled left him with a 'horrible feeling.'

A spokesperson for British Airways told MailOnline Travel: 'We are extremely sorry and appreciate this must have been upsetting for Mr Kenshole.

'A senior member of our customer relations team has been in contact with our customer to offer a full refund.

'We carry hundreds of thousands of customers with disabilities each year and we work hard to provide help and assistance throughout the whole journey, from the point of booking to the final arrival.'