Desperate couple walk down motorway to catch flight

Dean Louca, 37, and wife Gina, 39, were heading to Greece when their taxi got trapped in standstill traffic

08:50, 29 Aug 2025

A desperate couple abandoned their taxi after it got stuck in a three-mile motorway tailback and walked down the hard shoulder to catch their holiday flight.[1] Dean Louca, 37, and his wife Gina, 39, were en-route to Greece from London Luton when their taxi was caught in standstill traffic.

The pair were scheduled to catch a 12:45pm flight[2] on Tuesday, August 26.

After 20 minutes of no movement, they decided to exit the vehicle and start walking along the M1.

Their bold move inspired other families to follow suit, with some drivers even cheering them on from their cars.

Dean said: "We decided the only option was to start walking as we were concerned we would miss our flight.[3]

"People were panicking in their cars saying the same."

The couple's journey took a turn for the better when a kind-hearted stranger picked them up and dropped them at the airport, allowing them to board their flight with an hour to spare.

Dean said: "If it wasn't for him, we may have missed it.

"On the plane we could see the motorway was still at a standstill three hours later - it was crazy."

A video of the couple's daring walk has since gone viral, amassing over 450,000 views online.

While some praised their determination, others criticised them for risking their lives.

One viewer commented: "Walking down the hard shoulder and motorway is illegal you know that?"

Another added: "Putting your lives at risk by walking down the hard shoulder for a holiday?"

However, there were those who were more supportive, with one person commenting: "Oh my God.

So glad you made it."

Another commented: "I hope you had an amazing holiday after this."

References

1. ^ holiday flight. (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
2. ^ catch a 12:45pm flight (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
3. ^ miss our flight. (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)