Britons die in fatal balloon crash

Feb 26 2013

A British man is in hospital following a horror balloon crash that killed his wife and 18 other people - in the biggest accident of its kind in history.

It is thought Michael Rennie cheated death by leaping from the balloon as it exploded and plunged to the ground in flames in Luxor, Egypt.

Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion before seeing plumes of smoke as the balloon caught fire. People were seen jumping out of the balloon from "about the height of a seven-storey building".

Mr Rennie is at Luxor international hospital, where a spokeswoman said he is in a stable condition. His wife Yvonne was among those who died in the tragedy, which also took the life of another British national and a British resident.

Mr and Mrs Rennie, from Perth, were described as "very nice people" who only spent the weekends together due to work commitments.

Neighbour Linda Kettles said: "They were very, very nice people who kept themselves to themselves. They've gone on holiday to enjoy themselves. They only get the weekends together and any break together is good for them. They were really looking forward to getting away. I'm totally devastated by the news. I really feel for their families."

The couple moved from Dundee to Perth about 10 years ago and although they have been together for a "long time" they were only married recently, said Ms Kettles. Mrs Rennie worked as a hospital receptionist and Mr Rennie worked in the construction industry, she said.

Harrowing pictures emerged of the wreckage earlier in the day, which showed the dead in body bags at the scene of the crash. The four Britons involved were on holiday in Luxor with tour operator Thomas Cook.

The other tourists, including holidaymakers from France, Hong Kong and Japan, were all thought to have died in the explosion. Authorities in Luxor, where there have been previous balloon crashes, have suspended all balloon flights and an investigation is under way. The four Britons were believed to have been among nine people who jumped from the balloon.

Thomas Cook UK and Europe chief executive Peter Fankhauser said: "What happened in Luxor this morning is a terrible tragedy and the thoughts of everyone in Thomas Cook are with our guests, their family and friends."