- Sydney racecaller Darren Flindell caught in Middle East conflict
- Flindell says he feared for his safety as missiles flew overhead
Renowned Sydney racecaller Darren Flindell has spoken about being caught up in Iran’s missile attack on a US military base in the Middle East.
Flindell, who was in Qatar’s capital city, Doha, a few weeks ago, captured dramatic footage of Iranian missiles streaking through the night sky.
The racecaller, who was transiting through Doha on his way to Ireland, was at the Tropicana 360 rooftop bar when he noticed the attack.
Flindell says the missiles were certainly too close for comfort.
‘We were having a drink in a rooftop bar when at about 7.30pm we noticed the missiles. We had an incredible view of everything, too good actually,’ Flindell told News Corp.
‘At first, we weren’t sure what was going on and I was filming it on my phone but we soon realised what was happening.
Darren Flindell has spoken about being caught up in Iran’s missile attack on a US military base
The racecaller, who was transiting through Doha on his way to Ireland, was at the Tropicana 360 rooftop bar when he noticed the missile attack
‘The missiles came in three waves and the entire episode lasted about 15 minutes.
‘But it was eerie because there were no sirens or announcements. We were all just sitting there quietly trembling, thinking how long will this go on for and hoping nothing hits our building.’
The racecaller soon made the decision to leave the bar and take shelter in his hotel room.
Flindell had planned to fly out the following day, but his flight was delayed because of the conflict.
He described the whole experience to the Today Show in June as ‘very unsettling’.
‘I thought, well if this is it, I’m going out, I better record the moment so people know I’m here and this is what’s happened, and it went on for about 10 to 15 minutes,’ he said.
Flindell explained that it seemed like missiles were ‘coming from all directions’ during the harrowing episode.
‘I remained fairly calm,’ he said.
Flindell said he feared for his safety during the tense attacks
‘We knew in the back of our minds that if the unthinkable happened, the target was always going to be the Al Udeid Air Base, which is about 40 kilometres out of the CBD here at Doha.
‘It seemed like it was coming from all directions. It was coming in front, then it was coming from the side, and then the interceptors were coming from over the back of the building and it was getting really crazy.
‘It must’ve been quite intense for about six or seven minutes and then it calmed down, and then it flared up again.’
