In a fortunate twist of fate, a 70-year-old man from the UK managed to escape not just one but three harrowing incidents, including a plane crash that claimed over a hundred lives and two bomb attacks. He believes that guardian angels have been watching over him, ensuring his safety in times of peril.
Reported by the UK’s Daily Star, Steve Potts, a 71-year-old man residing in the seaside resort town of Bognor Regis in England, has led a seemingly ordinary life but has encountered three extraordinary brushes with danger, each time emerging unscathed.
The first incident occurred in 1974 when he avoided a tragedy by not being at a pub that was bombed by members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), resulting in multiple casualties. Potts expressed his gratitude for narrowly escaping the calamity, stating that while he does not hold religious or spiritual beliefs, he felt there might have been a guardian angel watching over him.
The second brush with disaster took place in 1980, shortly after Potts had been married for just over a year. His then-wife’s employment at a holiday company in Bognor Regis afforded them the opportunity for free weekend getaways. On one occasion, they had planned to take a Dan Air flight from Manchester to Tenerife for a complimentary holiday, only to change their plans at the last minute, a decision that ultimately saved their lives.
The scheduled Dan Air flight they had originally booked, numbered 1008, tragically crashed on April 25, 1980, in Tenerife, with all 146 passengers on board perishing. Thanks to their spontaneous alteration in travel arrangements, Potts and his wife avoided the disastrous fate that awaited the passengers on the ill-fated flight.
While vacationing in Tenerife, they learned about the crash through a local newspaper and were shocked by the gruesome images and tragic consequences. The experience left a lasting impact on Potts, instilling a deep sense of fear during their return flight.
Reflecting on these events, Potts recalled his father’s words of wisdom regarding the safety of flying compared to driving, a belief that he now holds dear. Fourteen years after the Dan Air tragedy, in 1994, Potts faced a third brush with danger and another miraculous escape.
This time, Potts was with his children when a massive explosion rocked a supermarket car park where they were loading groceries into their vehicle. The detonation was caused by a bomb planted by the IRA in a bicycle basket attached to a bike outside the store.
Describing the terrifying moment, Potts recounted the chaos and destruction caused by the explosion but expressed profound gratitude that no one, including his family, was harmed in the incident, citing divine intervention for their safety.
Decades have passed since the bomb attack incident, and Potts has since retired, leading a peaceful life in Bognor Regis, cherishing each day as a precious gift in light of the close calls he has experienced throughout his remarkable life journey.