Published: Wednesday, 24th September, 2008 4:30pm

Schoolboy in hurricane hell

by Amanda Keenan

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A BARRHEAD teen found himself caught up in a life-threatening hurricane during a dream trip to America.

Brave Jack Macintosh, 17, won a competition to visit the NASA space station in Houston, Texas, but the trip took a turn for the worse when Hurricane Ike struck.

The sixth-year-pupil at Barrhead High school was evacuated from his hotel on September 12 amid fears that it would flood.

Speaking to the News Jack said: 'It was pretty scary.

'We were taken to another hotel and by this point you could barely stand still because the storm was so strong. We were in Houston when the storm passed over but the weather was frantic and I have never seen anything like that before.

'There was a real sense of panic as no-one really knew how bad the storm would be. And despite causing havoc in Texas and other areas we were lucky.'

Despite the horrendous weather conditions Jack refused to let it dampen his sprit he adds: 'The trip to NASA was fantastic. I got a tour of the space station and even got to chat to a few astronauts.

'It was a once in a lifetime experience and I was lucky to be with 52 other people who were also taking part in the trip which was organised by Careers Scotland.

'Thankfully we managed to get our tour of the space centre before the hurricane struck.

'My parents were pretty worried but I phoned them when I could and they knew that I was in safe hands.

'It was a experience of a lifetime but I am glad to be back home.

Barrhead High"s School"s head teacher Morag Towndrow said: 'We are delighted that Jack Macintosh is safe and well and, despite the weather emergency caused by the hurricane, he enjoyed his trip to NASA.

'Careers Scotland kept us up-to-date with Jack"s situation and that of the party he is with. I know that Jack, who already hit the headlines by gaining five "A" passes at higher, and who wants to study science at university, has quite a tale to tell about his experience.'