Mr Mather, who lives in Croydon, said that because the trains were not stopping at Gatwick, he would be forced to walk to the station in Horley – more than half an hour away.

“It’s hopeless, I’m stuck here,” he said.

Trains have since resumed calling at Gatwick.

Another stranded passenger was Gabriele Lecce, who had been hoping to fly to Rome but was told there was an issue when he arrived at departures.

“Fifteen minutes later, we saw the police coming and they evacuated us – we’re freezing out here,” he told the BBC.

Many people have been forced to make alternative travel plans, like Emily Fisher and her three friends, who have paid £1,200 between them for new tickets to Budapest, travelling from Luton Airport instead.