A momentary memory lapse sparked an Island-wide rush yesterday as a passport flew up and down Bermuda as its owner was stranded at the Airport.

Ms Carol Simmons put the passport on the roof of her sister's car, hugged her goodbye and walked off. Her sister drove off and the passport flew off the roof.

It then passed between a taxi driver, Somerset Police station and a Police motorcyclist before ending up safely in Ms Simmons' hands, although unfortunately not in time for her intended flight.

Ms Simmons, 38, of Devonshire, arrived at the Airport to check-in for her 1.30 p.m. Delta flight to Atlanta where she is starting college.

Her sister dropped her off and Ms Simmons placed her passport on the car roof and helped the porter with the luggage before kissing her sister goodbye and walking to the check-in area.

Her sister drove off and the passport fell off the roof, unnoticed.

"I got in line and could not find my travel documents. I called my sister to see if she had them and searched my luggage to see if they were there,'' said Ms Simmons. "I had everyone searching.'' Eventually she gave up and called her sister, Mrs. Shirlene Darrell, who came and picked her up. She then contacted Immigration officials who started to rush through a new passport.

However, a taxi driver spotted the documents, picked them up and after dropping off a passenger called into the Somerset Police station.

Seeing that it was urgent, P.c. Nick Pedro contacted Ms. Simmons and sorted out a Police motorcyclist who rushed the passport up to the Airport, in time for a later flight yesterday.

"The people at the Immigration offices were extremely helpful and were already in the process of getting a new passport when the Police called to say they had the documents,'' added Ms Simmons.

"They rushed them to the Airport and Delta sorted everything out so I could get the 5 p.m. flight. Everyone worked so hard to help me.

"It all happened so fast. One minute I was queuing at the Airport and the next everyone was trying to help me. No-one panicked and everyone was extremely kind.''