UTAH — An American teenager hurt in this week’s explosions in Brussels also survived the Boston Marathon bombings – and was on a church mission in France at the time of the terror attacks in Paris as well.
19-year-old Mason Wells of Utah was 20 months into his Mormon missionary trip in France and Belgium during the attacks. He was one of four missionaries hurt in the blasts. All are expected to survive.
Wells’ parents say their son suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, shrapnel injuries and burns on his face and hands.
“He shared with us that he was extremely close to the blast where he was burned by it,” Chad Wells told ABC News. “It’s a blessing from God he’s alive.”
Strangely enough, the family says it’s not the first time they’ve been in the center of a terror attack.
In 2013, Mason and his father were about a block away from the first explosion at the Boston Marathon. Mason’s mother, Kymberly, ran the race.
“I’m dumbfounded to be honest,” said Chad Wells, Mason’s father.
Chad Wells said the Boston terror attack didn’t quell Mason’s desire to serve his church internationally. He also believes it helped him stay calm during the attack in Brussels.
Wells was also in France, but was not hurt, during the Paris attacks.
“The way we get back on our feet after something like this happens is a true test of character,” Chad Wells told ABC News. “He was blessed significantly by God. We see a blessing by this, not a terrible curse.”
