Smiling together: the London couple killed in Luxor balloon disaster

 
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Benedict Moore-Bridger28 February 2013

The family of a London artist killed in the Egypt hot air balloon disaster said today he “lived life to the full”.

Joe Brampton and his girlfriend Suzanna Gyetvai were killed along with 17 others when the balloon was engulfed in flames as it tried to land in the ancient city of Luxor.

Today Mr Brampton’s mother Maureen paid tribute to her son and Ms Gyetvai - also known as Zsi - and said they would be “sadly missed”.

She said: “My son and Zsi were wonderfully creative and sensitive individuals who lived life to the full and enjoyed being in Clapham Common with their dog Ollie.

“Joe and Zsi will be sadly missed by their families, and work colleagues and their many, many good friends.

“I would like to thank everyone for their messages of condolence, cards and flowers following the tragic deaths.”

Mr Brampton, 40, and 34-year-old Hungarian-born Ms Gyetvai met at their work at Lots Road Auctions in Chelsea.

Mr Brampton, who graduated from the Slade School of Art in the mid-nineties, was valuer and cataloguer for rugs and carpets, while Ms Gyetvai worked as an administrator.

She was also an artist who exhibited her silk screen prints and etchings under the name of Zsi Chimera, most recently at the Smokehouse Gallery, Hackney.

She died at the scene, but he was still alive when found and taken to Luxor International Hospital where he later died after undergoing surgery for internal injuries.

Surgeon Dr Harras Azzam said: “We did everything we could, but he had multiple internal injuries and heavy internal bleeding to his chest. He also had fractures in his arms and pelvis.”

Ms Gyetvai’s brother Nandor said: “She was a lovely person. We all really miss her.”

Meanwhile the only tourist to survive the Egypt hot air balloon disaster told doctors his life “flashed in front of his eyes” as his wife died in the inferno.

Michael Rennie, 49, jumped 20ft from the stricken balloon when a pipe from gas tanks set the balloon alight.

His wife Yvonne, 48, was among the victims.

Packaging manager Mr Rennie, from Perth, Scotland, was expected to be released from hospital in Cairo where he has been treated after miraculously only suffering minor injuries.

Doctors at the Nasser Institute hospital said the father of two told them: “My life flashed in front of my eyes.”

Dr Sameh Elashmawy, director of the hospital, added that it was a “miracle” Mr Rennie survived, saying he “doesn’t have a scratch on him”, but he is “upset from losing his wife.”

Mrs Rennie’s father William Harris said her husband broke down in tears as he apologised to him over the phone.

He said: “But we know it wasn’t Michael that dragged her on to that balloon. It was Yvonne that dragged Michael. Nightmare doesn’t describe it.”

Mr Harris said the couple were like “lovebirds in the flush of young marriage”, as he paid tribute to his “restrained daredevil” daughter.

Mr Rennie is reported to have screamed “my wife, my wife” as he ran for help while the balloon plummeted 1,000 feet out of the sky.

His brother David, from Nottingham, has called for answers into how the tragedy could have happened.

He said they were expecting news from the British consulate about Mr Rennie today.

“We’re waiting for news but we haven’t heard anything yet. We have been told by consulate officials they’re going to relay whatever they find when they have got new information.

“It’s a very stressful time. Our first concern is to get Michael back home.”

He said family members were considering flying out to Egypt to be with the 49-year-old.

The pilot, Moaman Abdo, 27, was the only other survivor of the crash, but has 70 per cent burns. He reportedly told his mother Sabah from his hospital bed: “I can’t believe it, I saw people dying, please tell me no one died.”

Sky Cruise, the Egyptian company behind the balloon tours defended its safety record as the Egyptian prime minister Hisham Qandil immediately ordered an investigation into the worst balloon disaster in history.

Civil Aviation Minister Wael al-Maadawi confirmed he had agreed to a request by British authorities to attend the probe.

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