Close call in the skies…

Last Thursday, my parents and my brother left for the US to attend an Orthopedic convention in Las Vegas. Saturday morning, my sister wakes me up and seemed somewhat distressed.

M: Eric! Can you check what flight Mom and Paps are on?
E: Ok.. Why?
M: Check NW2 if that’s the flight they were on.. Search the internet, google it. Some sort of accident happened and over 30 people were reported to be injured.”

I opened my Dad’s email and did confirm that they were on that Manila-Narita-Los Angeles flight aboard NW2. I was starting to get anxious. I searched the internet and this article came up [INQUIRER.NET].  What struck me was this part of the news report: “Among the most seriously injured were three Filipinos — two men and a woman – Jiji national news agency reported, quoting local police”.  I think my heart skipped a beat since I know my parents always sit in the exit row (my dad has long legs and wants more room to be comfortable, especially for long flights). I didnt want to tell my sister since she might get ever more worried since she has been trying to get in touch with my parents and brother since she found out about what happened thru the news.

I didn’t really know what to do but pray that nothing bad happened to them. Over 45 passengers were injured and around 20 were seriously injured, most of whom needed to be brought immediately to the hospital. Others were thrown out of their seats and hit their head on the ceiling. 

A few hours later, I get a message from my brother thru facebook. Whew! They were safe… thank God!

Earlier today, my sister visited the house and told me that she got an email from my dad and brother. Apparently, they were the “saviors on board NW2″ This was my dad’s email…

Dear Melissa,

You should be very proud of us, me and Rich. We were the only doctors on board and we were the ones who attended to all the casualties, more than 20 in all. There was a big airport pocket that jolted the plane an hour before landing and this caused the passengers to hit their heads on the ceiling and young children flying in the air and landing on the floor. Most had cervical spine injuries. One was so injured that he had spinal shock and transient paralysis. Rich did some improvised cervical braces (PGH style) as temporary measures, since they did not have cervical collars in the plane. Some patients had scalp laceration, contusions, backspasms etc. We attended to all patients until the plane landed in Narita. We then gave instructions to the paramedics and advised them on the extent of injuries, telling then which patients need to be transported first to the hospital. All NWA staff were all praising us for our good deed. Your Mom was so proud of us. The reward was 5000 miles rewards to each of us, and then Rich and Mom were again upgraded to business class all way to LA. We were all seated together in Row 9 E F and J. It was a very fulfilling trip. Sayang, in all the confusion I forgot to give the camera to your Mom…sana na video nya kaming attending to all the patients who we laid down on the floor.

Tonight we watched the Laker-Hornets game at the Staples Center. I drove the car of your tito Berio. The Lakers won in overtime.! We will be meeting with Nani, Sarah and your Tita Lulu this weekend. So long for now. Keep in touch. Kisses to the boys!!

DAD

After reading their email, I felt so proud of both my Dad and brother I didn’t have to be worried after all.