A pilot made a last minute U-turn at Manchester Airport to allow an elderly couple to get off the flight and rush to their dying grandson’s bedside.

The Etihad aircraft had already begun taxiing on the runway when the couple received a text saying their grandchild was in intensive care.

They managed get the attention of the cabin crew and pilot - who then aborted take-off at the last minute.

After returning to the gate, the couple were able to disembark and collect their luggage.

Quick-thinking Etihad Airways staff found the couple’s car and had it waiting for them as they left the airport.

The couple managed to reach the hospital and spend time at their grandson’s bedside, who sadly died the next day.

The grandparents had been on their way to Australia via Abu Dhabi and would not have been able to say goodbye to their grandson had the plane taken off.

Their heartbreaking story was shared on Facebook by their travel agent Becky Stephenson and messages of praise for the cabin crew’s actions have been pouring in from around the world.

“I only heard about what had happened this week because I was away on an educational,” wrote Becky on the Travel Gossip Facebook page.

“I sent a message to Etihad’s sales manager to praise the staff and popped what had happened on Travel Gossip [a Facebook page], but I had no idea it would get so many likes and comments.

“It was such a sad thing that happened to my clients, but it was lovely that Etihad was able to help in the way they did.

“They were on their way to Abu Dhabi so if they hadn’t been able to get off the plane they may not have made it back in time.

“I contacted them to give my condolences and they said they were going to contact Etihad as well.”

The Travel Counsellor added: “Everything little thing you could think of, they took care of. Sadly my customers’ grandson passed away the day after but had they not been allowed off the flight and had to fly back from Abu Dhabi they may not have made it to his bedside.”

A spokesman for Etihad Airways was contacted by the Manchester Evening News but declined to comment.