Mother's tribute to balloon victims

Feb 28 2013

A mother whose son and his partner were killed in the Luxor balloon disaster has described the couple as "wonderfully creative and sensitive individuals".

Joe Bampton, 40, and Zsi Gyetvai, 34, were among 19 people who died when their hot air balloon exploded and crashed in flames in Egypt on Tuesday.

Maureen Bampton thanked everyone "for their messages of condolence, cards and flowers".

She added that the couple "lived life to the full and enjoyed being in Clapham Common (in south east London) with their dog Ollie".

She said: "Joe and Zsi will be sadly missed by their families, and work colleagues and their many, many good friends."

Another Briton, Yvonne Rennie, 48, from Perth in Scotland, also died in the crash.

Mrs Rennie's husband Michael, 49, was the only passenger to survive, while the balloon's Egyptian pilot also escaped with his life.