A billionaire who turned down the trip on the Titanic submersible has revealed heartbreaking messages from the founder and CEO of OceanGate.
This comes after reports that the missing vessel imploded and that the five people on board were instantly killed.
The Titan five have been named Hamish Harding, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, and Stockton Rush.
After the heartbreaking news, Jay Bloom – a billionaire tycoon from Las Vegas – took to Facebook and revealed text messages he exchanged with OceanGate’s CEO, Stockton Rush.
In his post, he said that Rush had tried to encourage him and his son to join them on a dive.
“In February Stockton asked me and my son, Sean, to go with him on the dive to Titanic in May. Both May dives were postponed due to weather and the dive got delayed until June 18th, the date of this trip,” Bloom said.
He said that when he expressed safety concerns, Stockton told him: “While there’s obviously risk it’s way safer than flying in a helicopter or even scuba diving. There hasn’t been even an injury in 35 years in a non-military subs.”
Bloom continued: “I am sure he really believed what he was saying. But he was very wrong. He passionately believed in what he was doing.
”
He also explained that he last saw the CEO in March, where Stockton told him that the trip was ‘safer than crossing the street.’
The billionaire then told Stockton that because of scheduling, he and his son could not go until next year.
“Our seats went to Shahzada Dawood and his 19 year old son, Suleman Dawood, two of the other three who lost their lives on this excursion (the fifth being Hamish Harding),” he revealed.
“One last time.. RIP Stockton and crew.”
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section and SHARE this story with your friends and family!