14 Instances Where Being in the Wrong Place Helped
Life has a funny way of working out sometimes. We often stress about being exactly where we’re supposed to be, but occasionally, the universe has other plans. Those detours, delays, and wrong turns that frustrate us in the moment can sometimes be unexpected blessings in disguise.
Here is a list of 14 remarkable instances where being in the wrong place at the wrong time actually ended up saving someone’s life instead of endangering it.
Frane Selak’s Bus Detour
Croatian music teacher Frane Selak might be the luckiest unlucky person in history. In 1962, he was traveling on a train that derailed and plunged into an icy river, killing 17 passengers. Selak survived with a broken arm and minor hypothermia. He had missed his regular bus and taken an alternate route, putting him on that ill-fated train—yet his seat placement in that “wrong” train car allowed him to escape through a door when others couldn’t.
Seth MacFarlane’s Hangover
The creator of ‘Family Guy’ was scheduled to be on American Airlines Flight 11 on September 11, 2001. MacFarlane arrived at Boston’s Logan Airport after having one too many drinks the night before, causing him to miss his flight by just 10 minutes. That flight unfortunately became the first plane to hit the World Trade Center. His travel agent had given him the wrong departure time, which combined with his hangover, kept him from boarding.
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Violet Jessop’s Titanic Reassignment
Ocean liner stewardess Violet Jessop wasn’t supposed to be on the Titanic in 1912. She had been assigned to the RMS Olympic but was transferred to the Titanic at the last minute when another stewardess became ill. While this might seem like awful luck, her reassignment actually saved her life. Jessop survived the disaster, and amazingly, also survived the sinking of the Olympic’s other sister ship, the Britannic, during World War I.
Austin Hatch’s Flight Delay
In 2011, Austin Hatch was scheduled to fly on a private plane piloted by his father. The meeting ran long, delaying their departure, which caused them to encounter unexpected weather. They made an emergency landing instead of continuing their journey. Eight years earlier, Hatch had survived a different plane crash that killed his mother and siblings. The delay in 2011 potentially saved him from a similar fate as the conditions deteriorated rapidly after they landed.
Jim Lovell’s Navy Mix-up
Before becoming a famous astronaut, Jim Lovell received orders to report to Fighter Squadron 142 in 1954. When he arrived, he discovered a clerical error had occurred—he was supposed to be assigned to a different squadron. This administrative mistake proved fortunate because the squadron he was supposed to join was deployed on the USS Bennington, which suffered a catastrophic explosion killing 103 sailors shortly after deployment.
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Tsutomu Yamaguchi’s Business Trip
Japanese businessman Tsutomu Yamaguchi was in Hiroshima on business when the first atomic bomb was dropped in August 1945. Though injured, he managed to return to his hometown the next day—which happened to be Nagasaki, just before the second bomb fell. Incredibly, he survived both blasts. Had he not been in Hiroshima on that business trip, he might have perished in the Nagasaki bombing without the experience that helped him seek shelter quickly.
Marcus Gunn’s Missed Train
In 1889, Scottish railway signalman Marcus Gunn missed his usual train to work. Rushing to the station for the next departure, he noticed something wasn’t right with the tracks ahead. His delay allowed him to spot a broken rail that would have likely derailed the train he was meant to be on. His warning prevented a major accident, saving dozens of lives including his own.
Laura Buxton’s Balloon Release
In 2001, ten-year-old Laura Buxton released a helium balloon during a celebration in Staffordshire, England. The balloon traveled 140 miles and landed in the yard of another ten-year-old girl, also named Laura Buxton. This incredible coincidence led to a friendship between the two girls. Years later, the second Laura revealed that she wasn’t supposed to be at her grandparents’ home that day but was there because of a last-minute change of plans—allowing her to find the balloon.
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Michael Phelps’ Late Practice
Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps wasn’t supposed to be training at the University of Michigan on September 15, 2008. His regular pool was closed for maintenance, forcing him to use an alternate facility across town. While driving there, he witnessed a serious car accident and was able to assist the injured driver before emergency services arrived. His unexpected detour allowed him to be in exactly the right place to help save someone’s life.
Andre Agassi’s Registration Error
Tennis legend Andre Agassi almost didn’t participate in the 1992 Wimbledon tournament due to an administrative error with his registration. He was added to the draw at the last minute when another player withdrew. Agassi went on to win his first Grand Slam title there. Years later, he revealed in his autobiography that he had been in a dark place mentally, and that unexpected victory gave him a reason to continue his career when he had been contemplating retirement.
Peng Weiqing’s Flat Tire
Chinese factory worker Peng Weiqing was running late for his shift in Jiangsu Province in 2008 because of a flat tire on his bicycle. While fixing it, he witnessed the collapse of the factory where he worked. His delay meant he wasn’t inside when the building came down, which killed 14 of his colleagues. The flat tire that frustrated him that morning ended up saving his life.
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Reba McEntire’s Illness
Country singer Reba McEntire was scheduled to fly to San Diego in 1991 for a music video shoot. She came down with bronchitis the night before and had to delay her trip by a day. Tragically, the private plane carrying seven members of her band crashed, killing everyone aboard. Her illness, which seemed like terrible timing, ended up sparing her from the disaster.
The Eriksson Twins on the Highway
In 2008, Swedish twins Ursula and Sabina Eriksson inexplicably ran across a busy M6 highway in England. Police detained them, but Sabina was released after a brief assessment. She later committed a serious crime. Investigation revealed they were supposed to be on a bus to Ireland but got off at the wrong stop in Liverpool. This wrong turn exposed a shared psychological condition that might have remained undetected, eventually allowing Sabina to receive treatment that doctors believe prevented further tragedies.
Roy Sullivan’s Ranger Route
Park ranger Roy Sullivan became famous as the ‘Human Lightning Rod’ after being struck by lightning seven times between 1942 and 1977. His first strike occurred when he was taking shelter in a fire lookout tower during a thunderstorm. He wasn’t supposed to be in that tower—a scheduling mix-up had sent him there instead of his regular patrol route. While being struck by lightning seems unfortunate, Sullivan survived all seven strikes. Had he been on his regular patrol route during that first storm, he might have been in an area with no shelter at all.
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When Wrong Turns Become Right
The stories of these individuals remind us that life’s unpredictability sometimes works in mysterious ways. What appears to be bad luck, poor timing, or simple mistakes can occasionally be the very thing that preserves our safety or opens new doors.
While we shouldn’t hope for missed flights or flat tires, these tales offer a comforting perspective that sometimes the detours in our journey might be protection rather than obstacles. The next time you find yourself in the ‘wrong’ place, perhaps you’re exactly where you need to be.
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