‘I’m told she’s in an ambulance, stable and that they saved her life’
The National Transport Safety Bureau (NTSB) is gathering information about an incident involving a Southwest Airlines flight. As reported previously, a Southwest Airlines flight hat left LaGuardia en route to Dallas Love Field was forced to make an emergency landing at Philadelphia after one of its engines was severely damaged.
In an interview with NBC Philadelphia, Todd Baur gave his daughter-in-law’s eyewitness account of what happened on the plane.
“Thankfully they had just an incredible crew – the pilot and co-pilot were incredible. She’ telling us that there was an EMT and a medic on board, as well as a registered nurse. Apparently, the left engine blew through shrapnel and the shrapnel went into one of the windows. It depressurised the plane immediately and one passenger, a woman, was partially drawn out of the plane and was pulled back inwards by the other passengers. She’s the one who was injured. Our daughter is saying that the medical staff were true heroes. The pilot was incredible on the plane, the flight attendants were amazing. The cabin was completely depressurised, oxygen masks were deployed.”
He adds: “Thankfully, the woman that was injured is stable – she was taken by medical staff – and the rest of the passengers are being left off the plane as we speak.”
Regarding the shrapnel, Baur adds more detail to his daughter-in-law’s account. “The engine blew and then a window blew out near the engine. A woman, sitting close to that window, was almost taken out of the aeroplane and had to be taken back in. Fortunately, there were medical staff on board and a couple of people that could administer CPR immediately and they saved her life. In such a traumatic experience, it couldn’t have gone better (medical treatment),” he said.
Mr Baur continues: “I’m told she’s in an ambulance, stable and that they saved her life.”
Since the incident occurred, the FAA and Southwest Airlines have released the following statements:
“Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 landed at Philadelphia International Airport this morning after the crew reported damage to one of the aircraft’s engines, as well as the fuselage and at least one window.The aircraft, which departed from New York LaGuardia Airport, diverted to Philadelphia, where it landed at 11:20 a.m. Eastern. Passengers exited the aircraft using air stairs.Please contact local emergency response officials for information on the condition of the passengers. The FAA is investigating the incident and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation.”
Here’s the statement from Southwest Airlines.
Update on Flight #1380: pic.twitter.com/JhwVlUBeia
— Southwest Airlines (@SouthwestAir) April 17, 2018
