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Medway mum's fears for son, Adam Bridgeman, stuck in coronavirus-hit Wuhan

As it's confirmed that two people in England have tested positive for coronavirus, a Medway mum has told how her son, his Chinese wife and four-week old baby lost a race against the clock to get a plane home.

Adam Bridgeman is currently stuck in Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the epidemic.

Adam Bridgeman with his wife Su and baby Austin
Adam Bridgeman with his wife Su and baby Austin

Yesterday, the family, including his wife Su and baby Austin, gained a place on a plane arranged by the Foreign Office to get them to the UK.

But speaking this morning, Adam's mother Tracy Bell told KentOnline it was a race against the clock which failed.

Read more: Everything we know about coronavirus

Speaking from her home in Chatham, she said: "They were given the go ahead to leave but they are an hour away from the airport.

"They phoned a taxi but there were none running, they phoned the police to try to get out and eventually the Foreign Office sent them a car."

From left: Kevin Bell, Tracy Bell, Adam's sister Jamey Bridgeman and her son Morgan, Adam and Su
From left: Kevin Bell, Tracy Bell, Adam's sister Jamey Bridgeman and her son Morgan, Adam and Su

But by the time it arrived, it was too late and they were unable to make the flight.

There had been questions over whether Su, a Chinese national, and baby Austin – who has not yet been registered with the authorities – would be able to get on the plane, as British passport holders were only being permitted.

Austin has not been able to have some of his vaccinations due to the risk of leaving the apartment and going to hospital.

Tracy, who lives in the Historic Dockyard with her husband Kevin, said: "It's the baby they are worried about, if it was just them they would be holed up in the apartment."

She was due to fly to China on Wednesday, February 12, but had her flight cancelled. She hasn't seen 33-year-old Adam, who works at a gaming company with Su, 31, for almost two years.

Despite the eight-hour time difference, the mother of two communicates with her son on an app called WeChat, the Chinese equivalent of Whatsapp which is banned.

Adam and baby Austin
Adam and baby Austin

When she last spoke to Adam this morning, he said it was possible they could get on a plane on Sunday coming in from France.

Upon their return to the UK, the family will have to be quarantined for two weeks to prevent any possible spread of the disease.

Adam, who went to school in Catford and studied politics and international relations at the University of Kent, Canterbury, moved to China six years ago, and met Su, who he married last November.

The couple had been planning a wedding party in the summer.

She said: "As he's been in the media spotlight, I think the rest of the world has seen as much as my grandson as I have.

Adam and Su with sister Jamey, mum Tracy and nephew Morgan
Adam and Su with sister Jamey, mum Tracy and nephew Morgan

"When they were going to register him, this all blew up so he is not registered anywhere.

"He doesn't have a passport or an ID card. He is in a grey area.

"It's hard for them; it has taken the enjoyment out of having your first baby."

The government has been working to get around 200 British people out of the city.

Around 213 people have died from the virus and the WHO has declared a global health emergency.

This morning, it emerged two members of the same family in England have tested positive for the virus. The chief medical officer has not confirmed the location.

Dr Julian Spinks talks about coronavirus

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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