Dutch Cyclist Avoids Tragedy After Being Scheduled On Two Doomed Flights
Maarten De Jonge rides for a Malaysian team.
— -- A Dutch cyclist escaped tragedy twice after being scheduled to fly on doomed Malaysia Airlines flights -- Flight MH 17, which was shot down over eastern Ukraine, and Flight MH 370, which disappeared over the Indian Ocean in March.
According to a Netherlands public broadcaster RTV Oost, Maarten de Jonge was scheduled to be on both Malaysia Airlines Flight MH 17 and the still missing flight MH 370. In both cases de Jonge ended up changing his flight at the last minute.
In a statement on his website De Jonge, 29, confirmed he had been scheduled to take the doomed flight on Thursday but ended up changing his ticket for another flight this weekend.
"What has happened is terrible, so many victims, that's a horrible thing," de Jonge said in a translated statement on his website. "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."
De Jonge told RTV Oost in spite of his close calls with disaster, he plans on flying to Malaysia later this week and isn't worried about the flight.
The Dutch cyclist is a member of the Terengganu Cycling Team in Malaysia and came in 35th in last month's National Championship Road Race in the Netherlands, according to ProCyclingState.com.
"I have been lucky twice, that's the third time as well," De Jonge reportedly told RTV Oost about his scheduled flight to Malaysia.
Malaysia Plane Downed by Missile in Ukraine