Stories about people who, for some reason, failed to catch a certain plane which then crashed, killing everyone on board. The good fortune of those who missed their flight must, of course, be balanced against the ill-luck of those who did not. But on March 1, 1950, a series of chance events caused delays which were to benefit all.
The incident occurred in the town of Beatrice, Nebraska, where a church choir's practice had been scheduled to start at 6.20 on the evening in question. But, extraordinarily, everyone involved was running late: the minister's wife was having problems pressing her daughter's dress; two choristers wanted to listen to a particular radio programme; another young girl was desperately trying to finish her maths homework; one family's car wouldn't start. Everyone had a different reason for being late, the consequence being that no one was in or near the church when, at 7.25 pm, it was completely destroyed by a gas explosion.