Man rents car, receives ice cream van after fleet shortage.

IPSWICH AIRPORT – A man who flew into Ipswich expecting a modest hatchback from a car rental company was instead handed the keys to a slightly defrosted ice cream van.

Brian Haddock, 42, who had arrived from Dublin on Tuesday afternoon, said he was initially “dumfounded” when staff at the airport branch of Hertz directed him to his vehicle—described in booking confirmations as a “Ford Fiesta or similar.”

“The ‘or similar’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting there,” Haddock noted, standing beside the bright red van emblazoned with cartoon cones and the instruction to “CHILL OUT.”

According to Hertz representative Paul Thickett, an unusually hectic day had seen the majority of their fleet returned in damaged condition leaving the company with limited options. “We did have a Fiesta,” one employee confirmed, “but it was lacking a steering wheel.”

Stop …it Hertz!

The ice cream van, believed to have been abandoned in the car park several months earlier, was reportedly pressed into service after staff confirmed it “technically had wheels, a steering mechanism, and exceptional air conditioning guaranteeing ice cold temperatures.”

Haddock admitted the vehicle has presented some challenges. “It tops out at about 18 miles per hour downhill, and every time I indicate, it plays ‘Greensleeves,’” he said. “On the plus side, I’ve made £14.50 in loose change from passing pedestrians.”

Locals in Ipswich have responded warmly, with several approaching Haddock under the assumption he is a fully operational dessert vendor. “I didn’t have the heart to tell a child I only had windscreen washer fluid in the van,” he added.

Hertz has since apologised for the inconvenience, offering Haddock a complimentary air freshener and a free upgrade to a burger van on his next visit.

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