Canoeist's van fire in France sparks act of kindness

A world champion sportsman said help from friends and strangers after a fire destroyed his equipment has "restored my faith in humanity".

Two weeks ago, Eoghan Kelly was returning from winning a gold at the Canoe Freestyle World Championships in Germany, when his van - packed with kayaks, equipment, camping gear, and personal belongings - suddenly burst into flames near the outskirts of Paris.

"Between me and my girlfriend all we had was a phone - it was a hot day so I didn't even have a T-shirt on," he said.

But people, from strangers on the roadside to embassy staff and friends at home, have loaned equipment and helped to get him back home and in the water.

Mr Kelly, 29, who lives in The Meadows area of Nottingham, is a semi-professional sportsman who competes for the Irish national team.

His vehicle, a converted people carrier, was moving six kayaks and related kit, as well as camping equipment and personal luggage.

They had reached the outskirts of Paris before problems emerged.

Mr Kelly said: "Cars were beeping at us and we thought maybe it was the kayak on the roof.

"But when we pulled into the side, it was very evident the car was on fire.

"By the time we got out it was completely alight and because everything was packed in, it went up really quickly and we didn't have time to grab anything.

"Between me and my girlfriend all we had was a phone - it was a hot day so I didn't even have a T-shirt on.

"Quite a hassle because the passports were in there too."

Mr Kelly admitted he was initially at a loss what to do.

"It was quite a strange experience standing watching half your belongings go up in a fire," he said.

"It's stressful and daunting. You think, 'what do I do now?', there's not really an obvious play card for what you do in that situation.

"But it restores your faith in humanity to see so many people coming to help, complete strangers doing the best they could."

A number of "lovely people" pulled over and bought the couple water and even a new T-shirt.

Mr Kelly said: "The police were helpful and the embassy staff were extremely helpful and they had an emergency passport with me in under 24 hours.

"So there were some really lovely things happening in an extremely stressful situation."

Competition kayaks are worth £2,000 to £3,000 each so Mr Kelly estimates his losses in tens of thousands of pounds and while he was insured, he said that "only covers so much".

But once home, the help has continued.

He said: "People have been really kind, the canoeing community have really rallied round and a friend has even started a GoFundMe, which has allowed me to get some new equipment.

"People have been amazing lending me stuff, including a vehicle - it's been a real lesson in gratitude.

"I've been back on the water training and fortunately the next big competition is in Nottingham, so I don't have to drive far."

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