There’s lucky, and then there’s blessed.
In the case of Maarten De Jonge, we don’t even know what to call it.
The Dutch pro cyclist is a member of the Terengganu Cycling Team in Malaysia and thus has to take a lot of flights on Malaysia Airlines. These trips should have included both ill-fated flights 370 AND MH17.
But both times, despite having tickets, Maarten simply had to change his schedule last minute and missed the flights that ended in tragedy.
On his website, Maarten confirmed the story (first reported by a Dutch TV station) but made a point of downplaying it. In a translated statement he said:
“What has happened is terrible, so many victims, that’s a horrible thing. I have my story done and I would like to leave it… my story is ultimately nothing compared to the misery in which so many people are paid.”
We appreciate his humble attitude. He’s absolutely right about how amazingly lucky he is to be alive.
BTW, Maarten also said he is booked on another Malaysia Airlines flight later this week- and he isn’t worried about it at all.
[Image via Maarten De Jonge.]
Related Posts
