Grieving family honors mom who died after almost being sucked out of a Southwest plane

Jennifer Riordan’s family has set up a memorial website to celebrate her life. The site is also intended for monetary donations and general support for the family.

Riordan was killed when the plane she was on had an engine explosion. She was the only passenger that died on that day and the plane was safely landed by the pilot reported People.

Riordan, 43, died after the Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 had an engine explosion on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. She was a mother of two and bank executive from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Riordan was partially sucked out of a window after the explosion during her flight from LaGuardia Airport in New York to Dallas. Her family has since founded a memorial website, The Jennifer Riordan Memorial Trust.

This is where people who are interested can support causes that were important to the late mother. People could also help the family meet financial needs after the traumatic event.

Her family stated that the site was meant to honor her legacy. During the incident that took her life, Riordan had to be pulled back into the plane by a team of passengers.

‘We appreciate the outpouring of support for our family and the love for Jennifer. Hearing stories of how she impacted everyone in so many meaningful ways has truly touched our hearts.’

The Riordan family, People, April 19, 2018

Andrew Needum, a firefighter from Texas was one of the people who pulled her back in. She was given CPR by a retired nurse named Peggy Phillips according to ABC News.

Philips gave her CPR for almost 20 minutes until the plane’s pilot was able to make an emergency landing in Philadelphia. CBS News reported that Riordan was, indeed, wearing her seatbelt during the time of the incident.

A passenger on the flight, who didn’t want to be named, shared that there had been quite a bit of blood during the commotion. The passenger recalled someone pumping on her chest performing CPR and that someone else ran up to the front of the plane where they got a defibrillator.

On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health stated that the mother-of-two was killed by the blunt impact trauma to her head, neck, and torso. The memorial website offers the option for visitors to send well-wishes to Riordan’s two young children, Averie and Joshua as well.

It’s stated on the site that the two children’s loss is the most profound as they won’t get the chance to know her in her full force of service and dedication. The children won’t get the opportunity to know their mother’s selfless service.

The Riordan family asked people to celebrate the late mother by being kind, loving, caring and sharing with one’s friends, family, and community.