A woman who was partially sucked through a plane window after an engine exploded in mid-air, has died.
Seven passengers were injured when the engine of the Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 exploded, and had to make an emergency landing in Philadelphia, US.
The Boeing 737-700 had left New York’s La Guardia airport and was on its way to Dallas, Texas, with 143 passengers and five crew members when the explosion happened.
Witnesses said an engine on the plane’s left side blew out, which smashed a window, causing cabin pressure to dramatically drop.
The woman, who’s being identified as Wells Fargo employee, Jennifer Riordan, was partially sucked through the window before being pulled back in by fellow passengers, according to reports.
Riordan, a 43-year-old mother-of-two, from Albuquerque, was reported to have been returning from a business trip in New York.
Passengers reportedly rushed to help Mrs Riordan, giving her CPR, and upon landing, she was taken to hospital but later died from her injuries.
Staff at the charity United Way of Central New Mexico, have posted a statement on the company website, which reads:
The staff and volunteers of United Way of Central New Mexico are deeply saddened by the loss of Jennifer Riordan of Wells Fargo.
Jennifer cheerfully championed so many causes in our region and was a real force for good.
We’ve so many wonderful memories of Jennifer’s willingness to connect people to each other and our community to a better path.
Jennifer served UWCNM most recently as a member of our Mission: Graduate Vision Council, but has served in many capacities over the years.
She will be greatly missed.
Passengers have been recalling the encounter, with one passenger, Todd Baur, telling NBC 10:
One passenger, a woman, was partially… was drawn out towards the out of the plane… was pulled back in by other passengers.
Todd said the woman was rushed off the plane as soon as it landed for medical attention.
Another passenger, Marty Martinez, took to Facebook during the incident, and posted a Facebook Live with the caption: ‘Something is wrong with our plane! It appears we are going down! Emergency landing!! Southwest flight from NYC to Dallas!’
Mr Martinez told CBS, after the incident, he thought he was recording his ‘last moments’ – saying there was ‘blood everywhere’.
A handful of passengers filmed themselves breathing through oxygen masks after the explosion, which occurred with the airliner at its cruising altitude of 32,500 ft.
Passenger Amanda Bourman, of New York said:
I just remember holding my husband’s hand, and we just prayed and prayed and prayed.
And the thoughts that were going through my head of course were about my daughters, just wanting to see them again and give them a big hug so they wouldn’t grow up without parents.
A spokesman for Philadelphia International Airport said:
Southwest Airlines flight 1380, which departed LaGuardia for Dallas Love Field (DAL), diverted to PHL because of an operational event.
The plane landed safely. No slides were deployed. At this time, passengers are coming down a mobile stairway and are being bussed to the terminal.
A spokesman for Southwest Airlines said:
Safety is always our top priority at Southwest Airlines, and we are working diligently to support our customers and crews at this time.
Rest in peace.
