they claimed they heard it would not be safe.

And they say they were forced to wait for up to 30 hours before leaving at lunchtime yesterday.

Problems began early on Sunday, with the 7 a.m. American Airlines flight experiencing mechanical difficulties. The stranded visitors were offered seats on a later plane.

New York resident Mr. Frank Dellaferra said problems were not solved because once they were on the plane 12 of them disembarked.

Mr. Dellaferra, who was visiting with his wife and three-week-old daughter, said: "We heard a noise like the plane was backfiring on three different occasions.

"I travel two or three times a week by plane and I have never heard a noise like it.

"Even the captain told us that the plane was not built to deal with the Bermudian trade winds we were experiencing. We decided to get off the plane.'' All 12 people flew out at 1.30 p.m. yesterday, after first arriving at the Airport at 5.30 a.m. on Sunday.

American Airlines local manager Mrs. Carole DeCouto said that she did not want to comment because she had been misquoted.

But she said: "Our staff worked very hard. Those passengers were offered a flight on Delta Airlines or they could have flown last night, but they did not. I understand that they had very young children and were concerned.''