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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Rob Freeman and James C. Reynolds

Man pulled head-first through Ryanair plane window describes ‘explosion’ on board

  • Ljubisa Karovic, 61, was partially sucked out of a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen on July 10 after a passenger window broke at 20,000ft, an event he described as an "explosion".
  • His wife, Svetlana Grković, and other passengers , including one who used a suitcase to block the ruptured window, heroically pulled him back into the cabin as he repeatedly lost consciousness.
  • Mr Karovic sustained serious neck and shoulder injuries, burns, and bruises, requiring hospitalisation, a neck brace for at least six weeks and potential surgery.
  • Ryanair confirmed the plane returned to Thessaloniki, where Mr Karovic received medical assistance, and CEO Michael O’Leary stated early investigations suggest the aircraft was damaged by a foreign object.
  • The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation into the incident from Greek authorities, with a draft report expected within 28 days.

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