Additional Coverage:
- Wife grabbed husband’s legs as he was sucked out of Ryanair plane window at 20,000ft (themirror.com)
A terrifying incident unfolded on a Ryanair flight when a passenger was partially sucked out of a cabin window at 20,000 feet. Ljubiša Karović, 61, was returning from a vacation in Greece with his wife, Svetlana Grković, when their flight was forced to turn back due to engine trouble.
The plane took off early on July 10 from Greece, but shortly after crossing into North Macedonian airspace, the pilot noticed an engine problem and began a return to Thessaloniki. During the descent, a piece of the damaged engine broke off and struck a window, causing it to detach. This sudden loss of pressure pulled Karović partially out of the aircraft.
In a desperate and heroic effort, his wife Grković grabbed hold of his legs, determined not to let go. “I thought, ‘If we die, we die together,’” she recalled, describing the harrowing moment. Thankfully, a fellow passenger assisted in securing Karović and preventing a worse tragedy.
Karović is currently hospitalized with serious injuries, including friction burns and a badly injured hand. He remains in severe shock and has lost consciousness multiple times, with little memory of the event. Grković expressed her gratitude to those who helped save her husband’s life.
Ryanair confirmed the incident, stating the flight safely returned to Thessaloniki after a passenger window became dislodged. Medical assistance was provided on the ground, and a replacement plane was arranged to continue the journey to Memmingen, Germany.
This frightening episode highlights the incredible courage and quick thinking of those on board in the face of a life-threatening emergency.