Tardy Tourist Teen Saves Mom From Deadly Hudson Chopper

While yesterday's helicopter crash claimed the lives of nine, one pouty teenager who didn't feel like taking a chopper ride may have been what prevented a double-digit death toll. Italian tourist Paola Casali was eager to share how her 13-year-old son's reluctance to take a Liberty Tours helicopter led the pair to be running just late enough to miss out on the tragedy. The 42-year-old woman visiting from Rome had reserved seats for her and her son on the tour that would be taking off soon after noon. But when the boy was dragging his feet, the two did not arrive until 12:40, just in time to see the aftermath of the accident. She suggested their tardiness was due to potential divine intervention saying, “What is so strange is that this morning Lorenzo felt so nervous and did not want to fly today. He wanted to stay behind in a Starbucks." Casali hung around and talked with other witnesses who had showed up at Liberty and learned that no more tours were being given yesterday. One tourist said that they would simply come back today, telling WABC 7, "I guess if it happens today, it won't happen tomorrow."

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By Billy Parker in News on August 9, 2009 2:12 PM

Comments [rss]

ides_of_march

I don't mind flying for the purpose of getting somewhere far away quickly. I never go up just for a pure joyride. It always seems like asking for trouble.

spnder

"She suggested their tardiness was due to potential divine intervention'

Maybe if they'd been on the helicopter nobody would have died...

NannyState

He preferred to stay at Starbucks rather than board a doomed helicopter flight? Kid really is messed up.

silver

Getting a doomed helicopter is so emo.

Koopa

The tardy son didn't save them from the flight -- this woman and her son wouldn't have been on the accident flight even if they had been on time. First, she says she was told to arrive between 12 noon and 1pm for her flight. The accident occurred shortly before noon -- not on the flight she had booked. Second, the accident flight was already filled to its capacity -- 6 persons. She and her son couldn't have fit on it. Why the media is focusing on this woman is baffling to me.

eyekantspel

Rule #1: never let "facts" get in the way of a good story

Dead Himmler

It's because reporters are lazy today. They don't want to do any real investigative work and they just feed off of other stories on the internet.