A Northampton man says he is still in shock after seeing the footage of the fatal Egyptian balloon crash - exactly two weeks after he experienced a forced landing on a similar flight in Luxor.
A fortnight ago today, Tom Steel took a hot air balloon flight in Luxor while on a holiday with Thomas Cook, and experienced a forced landing in a field due to a sudden gust of wind.
He escaped unhurt, and says he is still in a state of shock after hearing today’s news about the 19 fatalities.
Mr Steel, aged 61, of Kettering Road, Northampton, was on holiday in nearby Hurghada with wife Milena, aged 55, and son Peter, aged 15, and Milena booked him onto a balloon flight as a gift.
Describing his experience, he said: “I’m in shock - that could have been me. I did exactly the same thing as those poor devils today.
“It was pretty cramped and the pilot was a character. It was beautiful and serene, but we came down pretty quickly into a sugar cane field, because of a gust of wind.
“It was quite scary, and I just wanted to get out. The pilot and the farmer were having an argument.”
Today’s tragedy was on one of the many dawn balloon flights popular with tourists for giving spectacular views of Luxor’s attractions.
The balloon had climbed to 1,000ft when it exploded, caught fire and fell into agricultural fields.
Operating company Sky Cruise said a gas cylinder had exploded on board.
Speaking about his reaction when he heard today’s news, Mr Steel said: “My wife said there had been a balloon crash, and I just couldn’t take it in.
“That’s life - you don’t know what you’re stepping into every morning. I feel like I’ve lost one of my cat lives.”
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