Brussels attacks: '˜Nightmare' ordeal for Carrick teen

A Carrickfergus teenager who was caught up in the Brussels terrorist attacks yesterday (Tuesday) has described the experience as a '˜nightmare'.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Mar 2016, 17:14 BST
Updated 23rd Mar 2016, 17:17 BST
Chris Kelly. INCT 13-723-CONChris Kelly. INCT 13-723-CON
Chris Kelly. INCT 13-723-CON

Chris Kelly, 18, was in Belgium on a youth group trip organised by the Education Authority.

The party had been in the country since Saturday, March 19 and was set to fly home from the international airport in Brussels yesterday.

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The 17 young people and Education Authority (EA) officers arrived at the airport as the carnage of the terrorist bomb attacks was unfolding.

The group of young people from Northern Ireland who travelled to Belgium as part of the Education Authority.The group of young people from Northern Ireland who travelled to Belgium as part of the Education Authority.
The group of young people from Northern Ireland who travelled to Belgium as part of the Education Authority.

It is understood that the group was originally due to catch an earlier train.

“If we hadn’t missed our train we would have been in the terminal which put a lot of people into shock,” said Chris, from the Woodburn area of the town.

“It was an eye opening experience and felt like a nightmare, I’m still waiting to wake up from.”

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The Carrick teen echoed the sentiments of other members of the youth group, who thanked EA officers for keeping them calm in the aftermath of the incident.

“I can’t imagine what would have happened to me without them,” he said.

Tuesday’s attacks killed more than 30 people and left hundreds injured.

Related topics:Education AuthorityCarrickBelgium