Pro Cyclist Says He Was Booked on Both Doomed Malaysia Airlines Flights

A Dutch cyclist said he was scheduled to fly on both doomed Malaysia Airlines flights: MH17 — shot down over eastern Ukraine on Thursday — as well as MH370, which vanished over the Indian Ocean in March.

But in both cases Maarten de Jonge altered his flight plans at the last minute, ABC News reported, citing Netherlands public broadcaster RTV Oost,

De Jonge, 29, said he was booked on Thursday's flight but switched his ticket for this weekend.

Image source: maartendejonge.com

"What has happened is terrible, so many victims, that's a horrible thing," de Jonge said in a translated statement on his website. "I have my story done and I would like to leave it ... my story is ultimately nothing compared to the misery in which so many people are paid."

More from ABC News:

De Jonge told RTV Oost in spite of his close calls with disaster, he plans on flying to Malaysia later this week and isn't worried about the flight.

The Dutch cyclist is a member of the Terengganu Cycling Team in Malaysia and came in 35th in last month's National Championship Road Race in the Netherlands, according to ProCyclingState.com.

"I have been lucky twice, that's the third time as well," De Jonge reportedly told RTV Oost about his scheduled flight to Malaysia.

(H/T: Gawker)