This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3kpvq9yp7o

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Canoeist's van fire in France sparks act of kindness Canoeist's van fire in France sparks act of kindness
(about 4 hours later)
Eoghan Kelly said the fire took hold too quickly for them to save anythingEoghan Kelly said the fire took hold too quickly for them to save anything
A world champion sportsman said help from friends and strangers after a fire destroyed his equipment has "restored my faith in humanity".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.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."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 out to get him back home and back in the water. 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.
Eoghan Kelly, centre, with fellow competitors, wearing the medal he lost in the fire Mr Kelly, centre, with fellow competitors, wearing the medal he lost in the fire
Mr Kelly, 29, who lives in The Meadows area of Nottingham, is a semi-professional sportsman who competes for the Irish national team.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.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.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.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."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."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."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.""Quite a hassle because the passports were in there too."
The van was so badly damaged it was impossible to find the cause, Eoghan Kelly said The van was so badly damaged it was impossible to find the cause, Mr Kelly said
Mr Kelly admitted he was initially at a loss what to do.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 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."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.""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.A number of "lovely people" pulled over and bought the couple water and even a new T-shirt.
Eoghan Kelly said he had been loaned enough kit to get back in the water Mr Kelly said he had been loaned enough kit to get back in the water
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.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.""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".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.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 starts a GoFundMe, which has allowed me to get some new equipment. 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."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 next big competition is in Nottingham, so I don't have to drive far." "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."
Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.