Preston pensioner's fears as her son remains stranded in Nepal with no food

Irene Parkinson, 78, from Ashton, fears for her son Gary, a professional photographer, who has just £80, no food or hygiene facilities, and is sleeping in a tent.

He has accused authorities of 'profiteering' after revealing a British embassy e-mail advised British people it would cost £800 for a 'rescue flight' - almost three times the usual cost - at a time when the finances of many travellers have been depleted during the crisis.

In addition, Barclays bank appears to have blocked his card.

The Government announced last week it would provide up to £75 million in financial support to enable special charter flights to rescue British people in countries with no commercial routes, and that they would be prioritised according to the number of travellers and their 'vulnerability', including an assessment of the local health provision.

Foreign secretary Dominci Raab previously assured travellers unable to afford the cost of a plane ticket back they could get an emergency loan to cover the cost.

But speaking from his tent, Gary says himself and many other travellers, such as young backpackers, won't be able to afford such expensive flights.

He said: " People are profiteering from this, utterly disgraceful when it's actually arranged by our embassy.

"Obviously the powers that be know that desperate people have no options, so they stick their morally bankrupt hats on and charge people fortunes in situations like these.

"A bus to Kathmandu, usually $7, is costing passengers $40.

"I've seen a lot here. I sat through a 10 year civil war whilst running around photographing a Maoist insurgency that put this country on its knees.

"I've had guns pointed to my head on several occasions. I was in a massive earthquake here five years ago this month, and jumped out of a second floor building 40 feet up to escape before it collapsed. I lost 12 good friends.

"I've had avalanches and landslides drop on me whilst out trekking, been in a bus accident which fell off the road and killed six.

"I have got through loads here, but nothing as challenging as this."

He added: "Why on earth in an emergency rescue is one being asked to pay £800 for a ticket. How can that be a rescue service? I am absolutely astonished.

"These flights to the UK leave on Wednesday and Friday, it's unlikely I will be on any of them. I simply do not have the money to pay this."

Irene said: " With his card blocked he has no way of getting money.

"We've been through hell.

"He could die shortly if he doesn't get food. It's heartbreaking, I can't help in any way shape or form, I can't send a food parcel.

"We've tried everything. I think it's disgusting. The authorities there could at least give them water and rice."

The Post has contacted Barclays for a comment.