Smiling and waving in newly released film footage intended as a souvenir, British tourists get ready for take-off in Egyptian hot-air balloon which crashed moments later, killing 19

Their faces show the mixed emotions you might expect in a group of tourists about to embark on a thrilling holiday adventure.
Some smile and wave, while others look apprehensive as they prepare to take to the skies in a balloon over Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.
Minutes later, the craft was to explode and crash to the ground, killing all but two of the 21 people on board.
Video footage emerged yesterday of the preparations for the ill-fated trip, which was recorded by the flight organisers to sell to passengers as a souvenir.

Michael Rennie - the only tourist to survive the Egyptian hot air balloon catastrophe on Tuesday - smiles in an orange bandana next to his wife Yvonne, 48. At one point Mr Rennie, 49, hints that this is his second flight as he says to the camera: 'Round two... here we go again'

Video footage emerged yesterday of the preparations for the ill-fated trip, which was recorded by the flight organisers to sell to passengers as a souvenir. Above, Yvonne Rennie and Joe Bampton, seen in the balloon just before take-off, were among the 19 who died

London auction valuer Joe Bampton, 40, and his girlfriend Suzanna Gyetvai, 34 (both pictured, centre) were among those who died when the balloon exploded and crashed over the Valley of the Kings

Michael Rennie and Yvonne (in the foreground), from Perth, Scotland, take their positions. Minutes later, a fire started when a rope is thought to have sliced through a gas burner pipe, sending the balloon soaring, then plummeting to earth

The footage, originally intended as a souvenir, is expected to be viewed by accident investigators

It is expected to be viewed by accident investigators.
A cameraman for Sky Cruise captures the bleary-eyed group after they were collected from their hotels at 5am on Tuesday for their ‘dream flight’ over the Valley of the Kings near Luxor. 
Michael Rennie – the only tourist to survive the accident – smiles in an orange bandana next to his wife Yvonne, 48.

 

Last moments of hot air balloon crash victims caught on camera

The pair, from Perth, Scotland, are seen smoking to calm their nerves before taking their seats.
At one point Mr Rennie, 49, hints that this is his second flight as he says to the camera: ‘Round two... here we go again.’

Minutes later, a fire started when a rope is thought to have sliced through a gas burner pipe, sending the balloon soaring, then plummeting to earth.
While Mr Rennie and pilot Momen Murad, 29, were able to leap to safety from 10ft in the air, the balloon then lurched to more than 1,000ft.

While Mr Rennie and pilot Momen Murad, 29, were able to leap to safety from 10ft in the air, the balloon then lurched to more than 1,000ft

Everybody else on board, including Mrs Rennie, died as they either leapt from the burning craft or perished in the blazing wreckage on the ground

The tourists were all smiles as they prepared for their 'dream' flight. To the right, Suzanna Gyetvai puts her arm around her boyfriend

Moments before take-off, above. An investigation is underway by Egyptian authorities and all balloon flights have been grounded

Everybody else on board, including Mrs Rennie, died as they either leapt from the burning craft or perished in the blazing wreckage on the ground.
Mr Rennie could only watch the disaster unfold as he screamed ‘My wife, my wife!’
He later described his wife as his ‘rock, my friend, my shoulder to cry on. She was my world’.
The construction industry worker, who suffered only minor injuries, was due to fly home yesterday after three nights in a Cairo hospital as pictures also emerged alongside the footage.

Before the blaze: This picture shows the basket carrying tourists that exploded and plunged to earth

This sequence shows the moment the hot-air balloon exploded during the sightseeing trip in Luxor

Some images show the victims waving goodbye as the balloon lifts off.
Standing by the Rennies are London auction valuer Joe Bampton, 40, who also died along with his girlfriend Suzanna Gyetvai, 34.
The pair, both artists, were described by their neighbours in Clapham, south London, as ‘a quiet, lovely couple’.
An investigation is underway by Egyptian authorities and all balloon flights have been grounded.

Michael Rennie was airlifted to hospital after he survived the blaze by leaping from the balloon

Bodies: Medical workers in Cairo with the bodies of those who were killed in the tragic accident

Ahmed Mohamed Al Yemeni, Luxor’s deputy public prosecutor  who is in charge of investigating the incident, said: ‘Investigators are searching for evidence of a technical malfunction of a gas canister used.
'It appears likely the gas was largely responsible for the accident.’
Mrs Rennie joined the radiology department of Perth Royal Infirmary as an appointments officer in June 2006.
Radiology manager Douglas Mitchell said: ‘We are in shock at the sudden and tragic loss of Yvonne.
‘She was a much-loved colleague who enjoyed her job and her tragic passing has had a huge impact on all of us who knew and worked with her.
'She will be sadly missed.’

Yvonne Rennie, pictured with her husband, joined the radiology department of Perth Royal Infirmary as an appointments officer in June 2006

Joe Bampton's Hungarian-born girlfriend Suzanna Gyetvai (above) was also known by her artist name Zsi Chimera

Mr Bampton and Miss Gyetvai both worked for Lots Road Auctions in Chelsea.
They were described by their neighbours as ‘a quiet, lovely couple’.
Mr Bampton was originally from Merseyside before moving to London to become an expert valuer of rugs and carpets.
His Hungarian-born partner was also known by her artist name, Zsi Chimera.

The site of the balloon crash where the remains of the burned gondola are seen

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