Southwest plane tragedy: Mother-of-two killed after being sucked out of plane during mid-air engine explosion
A mother-of-two was killed in a plane tragedy on Tuesday after she was sucked out of a cracked window during a mid-flight engine explosion on a Southwest Airlines flight.
The 43-year-old woman, Jennifer Riordan, was a banking executive with Wells Fargo and reportedly suffered fatal injuries because of an engine explosion on Southwest flight 1380.
Reports state that the engine exploded during the flight and it is believed that the debris of the engine cracked one of the windows of the plane where Riordan was sitting.
The woman reportedly suffered serious head injuries as she was partially sucked out of the cracked window. The passengers later succeeded in pulling her back in, however, it was too late.
According to a preliminary probe of the incident, an engine fan blade of the plane was reportedly broken, which resulted in the bizarre accident.
The plane was bound to Dallas from New York when the incident occurred and had to make an emergency landing in Philadelphia, according to reports.
Reports state that Riordan was heading home to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she lived with her two young children and her husband Michael.
Her children's school, Annunciation Catholic, confirmed Riordan's death in an email to parents, telling them that the family needs "all the prayers we can offer," according to the Mirror UK's report.
Riordan's Twitter account showed that less than 24 hours before the incident, she had posted a picture looking excited from a hotel room in New York.
"Great business stay (@ DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Metropolitan - New York City," she wrote in the tweet.
The woman's family released a statement after her demise, saying: "Jennifer Riordan has passed away as a result of previously reported events on Southwest Airlines flight No. 1380. Jennifer’s vibrancy, passion and love infused our community and reached across our country."
"Her impact on everything and everyone she touched can never be fully measured. But foremost, she is the bedrock of our family. She and Mike wrote a love story unlike any other. Her beauty and love is evident through her children.We are so appreciative of the outpouring of support from family, friends and our community."
"We do ask that those who seek to express their condolences and prayers as well as media outlets respect our privacy at this time. Our family and friends need this time to both grieve and celebrate Jennifer’s impact on us all. In her memory — please remember to always be kind, loving, caring and sharing."
Reports state that at least seven other people suffered minor injuries in the incident.