A PENSIONER is recovering after being attacked during a bus trip to care for his ill granddaughter in Germany.

Belgian police say 73-year-old John Bell is lucky to be alive after suffering head injuries in the assault in Brussels.

Mr Bell, from Gilling West, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, set off by coach on Sunday to visit Kaylee Morris at Osnabruck Army base.

Mrs Morris is due to have an operation and her husband is serving in Iraq.

An error by the Eurolines booking agent at Darlington tourist information centre meant that instead of going direct, Mr Bell was dropped off in Brussels at 10.45pm.

The connecting bus was not due until 6am on Monday and the bus station was shut.

Shortly after being dropped off, Mr Bell was attacked by two men, who robbed him and tried to drag him into a subway. Mr Bell needed 13 stitches to a head wound, scans, X-rays and treatment for bruising.

The thieves stole £900 in Euros, his medication, passport and travel documents.

Mr Bell's daughter, Sharyne Cross, and her husband, John, from Brompton-on-Swale, near Catterick Garrison, are furious he was sold the wrong ticket.

They are also angry that they were told the Eurolines insurance policy would not cover Mr Bell's repatriation because medical staff deemed him fit to continue his journey.

The company has rejected claims that the insurance company refused to help, saying the firm offered to fly Mr Bell home.

Mrs Cross, 45, said: "The Belgian police said he would have been murdered, but two taxi drivers intervened.

"I think it's disgraceful what has happened. He was battered, bruised and he didn't know where he was."

Mr Bell was taken from hospital to his granddaughter's house on Monday night, in a car sent by the Army.

Eurolines has promised to fly Mrs Cross to Amsterdam to collect her father.

A spokesman for the company apologised for the mix-up, saying: "Eurolines is very sorry to hear about Mr Bell's assault in Brussels and understands the anxiety he and his family have felt as a result."

He said the company would discuss issues raised by Mr Bell's experience with the ticket agent and the insurance company.

Darlington tourist information centre declined to comment.