EXCLUSIVE: ‘I’ve lost items that mean a lot to me… all because of someone ELSE’S mistake’: Grieving daughter blasts National Express after coach service LOST suitcase containing her late mother’s precious ring

• Treasured ring belonging to her late mother was stolen amongst the luggage 

A grieving daughter has been left devastated after her suitcase containing the ring of her late mother was stolen from a National Express coach after she boarded.

Kayleigh Chambers, 34, said she blamed the company because of what she considers to be an inadequate system of luggage identification.

But National Express said CCTV showed another passenger taking her bag from the bus and was a criminal matter.

Despite the footage Gloucestershire Police said it had no further lines of enquiry to pursue so the case would be closed.

It happened as Ms Chambers travelled back to her home in the Forest of Dean with her 14-year-old son, Kobi.

She got on the vehicle at Heathrow Airport following a holiday in New Zealand.

After she posted about the incident on social media, she claimed other people contacted her to say they had also had their luggage stolen while using National Express.

Kayleigh Chambers, 34, with her son’s case, which is the same design as her own missing one

This is the ring that was taken along with the luggage and belonged to Ms Chamber’s mother

She said: ‘My case was brand new and cost me £80. I worked hard for everything in that suitcase – things like my clothes, shoes and gifts that I bought for everyone.’

Ms Chambers said the coach only stopped twice, in Cirencester and Cheltenham, before reaching its destination of Gloucester.

She believes the driver mistakenly gave her suitcase to someone else, even though it had a tag with her name on it, at one of the stops.

Ms Chambers said: ‘A ticket system needs to be in place. I’ve lost items that mean a lot to me because of someone’s error.’

She lost her mother, aged 52, to meningitis last year and has kept one of her rings in a little drawstring bag with her since.

National Express said it was a criminal matter as CCTV showed someone taking the suitcase

It was the loss of that, more than other items such as toiletries, a hairdryer and her gym stuff, that hit her so hard.

‘I always wear her necklace too but that was on me,’ she added.

After being advised to do so by National Express, she reported the incident to Gloucestershire Constabulary. But it told her, in an email: ‘There are no further lines of enquiry at this stage, therefore your report will be sent for closure.’

A National Express spokesperson said: ‘We’re very sorry to hear Ms Chambers’ suitcase was reported missing on the 444 service from London Heathrow – Gloucester on 18 August.

‘Our customer service team has made every effort to support the relocation of the luggage, however upon investigation which includes reviewing on board CCTV, we can confirm that Ms Chambers’ luggage was taken by another passenger at Heathrow Airport.

‘This is now considered to be a criminal matter as a luggage theft appears to have taken place. As a result of this we have advised Ms Chambers to report the theft to the police and we will fully support their investigations.

‘Theft of luggage on our services is rare, however we always encourage all of our passengers to take out appropriate travel insurance and to carry valuable items and medications in their personal carry-on. We will provide supporting documents needed to assist with any insurance claim which may be necessary.’

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