Europe train hero missed UCC class to be on ‘Ellen’
French terror train hero Alek Skarlatos of Roseburg was registered for fall term at Umpqua Community College and would have been on campus Thursday during a shooting that left 10 dead.
Instead, KGW reports, he was in Los Angeles during rehearsals for “Dancing With The Stars” andappearing on the “Ellen” show.
“I would have been there today if I hadn’t agreed to be on this show,” he told Ellen DeGeneres. “I had classes picked out and everything.”
He told Ellen that in small-town Roseburg, everyone will know a victim who died in the shooting. He was last on campus in spring of 2014, before his deployment to Afghanistan.
He also issued this statement:
“While I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time in August aboard a train bound for Paris, I only wish that the same could be said for today. Ipraise the first responders who were on the ground today in Roseburg as they undoubtedly were integral in saving numerous lives and putting a stop to what could have been more tragic than it is. My heart and prayers go out to this community, my community, right now”