pan am flight 73 child survivors pan am flight 73 child survivors

September 5, 2011- This date marked the 25th anniversary of the tragic hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73. Fellow attendant Sunshine Vesuwala saw one of the hijackers grab a colleague, Neerja Bhanot, and put a gun to her head. He said he was looking for American fighter planes," says Sherene. It was just before 06:00 and Pan Am Flight 73, on a stopover in Karachi from Mumbai, was scheduled to continue on to Frankfurt, en route to New York. Sixteen-month-old Melissa Trahan, on stretcher, is rushed from the scene of the crash of Pan Am Flight 759 in Kenner, La. Share it now! An airhostess, who felt unwell, too lay down next to Trupti. Just 61 people survived, all from the Pan Am jumbo jet. The two girls narrowly escaped a deadly fusillade. He spoke to Witness about that terrible disaster. I became more courageous and confidant to face any situation in life later.Neerja was an excellent airhostess. After being rushed to the hospital by two Pakistani men at the airport, Gargi Dav slipped into a coma. The adrenaline was doing its work until I realised I had a major injury. Those who knew and loved these people will never forget the moment they discovered the nearly unbearable truth. Four terrorists took position in four corners of the cabin and started shooting and throwing grenades. On Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, India sees 'Neerja' again. Later, as Pakistani commandos prepared to raid, the gunmen opened fire inside the cabin. The way I looked at life changed.I remember the terrorists dashing in from the front door near the pantry, holding Neerja at gun point. On December 21, 1988, their 20-year-old daughter, Theodora, was one of 270 people killed in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The elderly woman, a resident of a village outside Bombay, had been on her way to Southern California with Kumar and Kumars aunt, Gangaben Patel. And their battle offers a fascinating glimpse at the conflicts that erupt between victims and their lawyers. The shooting began when the hijackers fired in panic as the lights went out in the Boeing 747 on a runway in Karachi, Pakistan, on Friday. On September 5, 1986, Thexton boarded Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi. There was complete chaos at the Sahar airport when we returned. Though Gargi had to take medication for years because of her head injury, she excelled in college and went on to graduate from the USC School of Law. How I connect my mother to Neerja is that they both died saving children and at the same time. KENNER, La. The case is being investigated by the Bureaus Washington Field Office. Around four hours into the siege, the hijackers began trying to identify the Americans on board. Lynne Carol Hartunian , 21, Schenectady, N.Y. (SUNY Oswego) Anthony Lacey Hawkins , 57 . We found a few people but not all. One of those survivors was Purser On Pan Am 1736, seven of the 16-member flight crew, along with two company employees and 61 passengers, survived, although nine later died of their injuries. Safarini was still on board when Pakistan's security forces entered the plane. New Delhi, UPDATED: Sep 5, 2017 17:13 IST. February 10, 2003 - The attorneys for the defense and the government filed pretrial motions and notices. I was from a business family, married into another business family but I chose to start an NGO, providing education for the underprivileged after going through this tragedy. . Today, the California sisters, along with several other passengers from Flight 73, are locked in a legal struggle with the law firm that represented them in the battle to win damages from the government of Libya, which funded the hijackers. He repeatedly led either Sunshine or Sherene at gunpoint up to the upper deck cockpit, using them as human shields while he peeked round them to have a look outside. There was a bloody end - 22 people killed and about 150 injured. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? Clipper 1736 Pan Am 1736 carries 378 passengers, 16 crew, and two Pan Am employees, who boarded in Tenerife and are sitting in the cockpit jumpseats. A 7-year-old child that Bhanot helped protect went on to become a captain of a major airline and he noted that she was his inspiration. Calling the fight sad and disheartening, Newberger said the sharing clause was originally put in the agreement to stop infighting among the 178 plaintiffs. After the crash, Trahan and her father, who was working when the plane hit, moved away from Kenner to be closer to family. Contact Scott Herhold at sherhold@mercurynews.com or 408-275-0917. As the result of a 2008 pact between the Bush administration and the Libyan government of Moammar Gadhafi, Dav has received a payment of $3 million. See a copy of the superseding indictment. While on a routine stopover in Pakistan, Pan Am Flight 73 was hijacked by four armed Palestinian terrorists. It showed they were ruthless killers," says Sunshine. She could have easily escaped first but she chose to push everyone else out. I knew non-Americans could go to their own governments. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Three lives would be saved.". This was given to the 40-odd American passengers of the ill-fated Pan Am Flight 73, but not shared with the Indians, including the kin . LUKER, Marilyn. At the end of the proceeding, Judge Sullivan took the matter under advisement and will issue a written decision at a later date. One of the terrorists picked up the baby and started strutting up and down with a machine gun in his hand and a rifle hanging from his shoulder. The defendant's response will be due on May 30, 2003, and the government's reply will be due on June 16, 2003. If you wish to contact the FBI case agent assigned to this matter, Special Agent Michael OCallaghan, any of the prosecutors handling this matter, Jennifer Levy, Gregg Maisel or Robert Bowman, or victim-witness advocate Yvonne Bryant you may do so at USADC.PanAm73@usdoj.gov. It took a tremendous amount of courage, said her attorney, Boyd. Courtesy Gargi Dave -- A ten-year-old Gargi Dave, left, is kissed and comforted by her mother, Niru in the Aga Khan Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. November 12, 2003 - A status conference was held before Judge Sullivan at which the parties announced that a plea agreement has been reached in the case. A certain Mr. Mohammadbhai, a businessman from Karachi, known to a relative of Utpala came to us asking if he could help. When her dead body arrived in Mumbai, she looked fresh and beautiful because all her wounds were on her back.Had there been a VIP or a minister on our plane; all the lives would have been saved. The US was paid 1.5 billion dollars in compensation by Libya. Although the hijackers had closed the doors and lowered the shutters earlier, the air conditioning and lights had been on. One lady amongst us, Trupti, complained of a headache. The crew of Pan Am Flight 73 (three of whom are pictured here with their colleagues) were all in their early to mid 20s at the time of the hijack. The flight attendants were supportive, smart and composed throughout. When no pilot materialised within the hour, Mr Kumar was shot and kicked out of the plane. It departed from Los Angeles bound for the . We landed on the wing. She went back to save the kids who were stuck inside and got shot from behind. It was an American aircraft and Americans were their target. I knew if I didnt speak up for myself, this would haunt me for the rest of my life.. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Neerja may still be alive if she'd been cared for right away," says Sunshine. Become a Member. March 31, 2003 - Defense counsel filed reply briefs concerning motions filed on Feb 10, 2003. Crash, 41 Celebrities Who Have Shared Their Miscarriage Stories, in the Hopes of Helping Others, See PEOPLE's Incredible 20-Year Journey Documenting the Children Whose Dads Died on 9/11, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Eventful Decade: From Their Royal Exit to Baby No. Mrs. Georges husband was one of several survivors who were brought off a Pan American World Airways jetliner at Los Angeles International Airport in wheelchairs. Our tickets got confirmed at the last moment in Pan-Am Flight-73, which was headed to New York via Karachi and Frankfurt from . ", See a copy of the Sentencing Response Form, See a copy of the Victim Impact Statement Form, Read a copy of the handbook "Coping After Terrorism: Information for Victims and Survivors of Pan Am Flight #73 Hijacking, May 12-13, 2004 - A sentencing proceeding was held before Judge Sullivan, attended by more than 50 victims and family members, many of whom provided powerful and emotional statements during the two-day proceeding. Working hard and making money was on my mind until I went through this incident. October 1, 2001 - Defendant Safarini is brought before a federal judge in Anchorage, Alaska, where he is ordered to be held and transported to the District of Columbia to face the charges pending against him. We were told to raise our hands and sit. We were informed that all those who hadnt made it to the tarmac had died inside the aircraft. We were even scared to look at him.. Towards the end, they were frustrated because they were looking for pilots and there were none.After a point when it was dark, this leader, I remember him being addressed as Mustafa, said his prayers in a high pitch. The Georges two daughters, 8-year-old Priti, and 3-month-old Priya Joyce, apparently were unhurt, but the baby fell from her mothers arms as the family scrambled out on a wing to escape and the parents said they planned to have her examined by a physician here. "The hijack is far from over for me and my colleagues. When the survivors recall the deadly memory, their hearts start racing and their spines become chilled. Crowell & Moring LLP would like to recognize 13 of the firm's Pan Am Flight 73 victims of terrorism clients who were presented the Special Courage Award by Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales during the National Crime Victims' Rights Week Awards Ceremony on April 21, 2006. DUMFRIES, Scotland (AP) _ Two passengers might have survived the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 had they received the best medical care immediately, a Scottish pathologist testified Wednesday. December 16, 2003 - Defendant Safarini pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to all 95 counts of the superseding indictment against him in connection with the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73. I was told to go alone and on my way back, I came across a water dispenser. Neerja seemed like just any other airhostess until we reached Karachi and the terrorists took over. A form was provided for victims to let the prosecution team know if they are interested in attending and/or speaking at the sentencing proceeding. "It was chaotic, like a war zone, in there. The law firms own 25 percent fees also figure in the debate. BY xms3200 - Sun Oct 30, 2005 9:04 am. She was killed while helping passengers to escape through emergency exits when hijackers opened fire and set off explosives during the 16-hour ordeal. That fateful night our tickets were not confirmed. "The stories may differ but the spirit remains the same.". March 27, 1977 is a date permanently etched in aviation history. Like I say, there are many shades of gray here. We saw another lady, Utpala Desai, coming out seriously injured. Read about our approach to external linking. Hassan Abd Latif Safarini appeared in court Wednesday to begin the sentencing phase for his role as lead hijacker of Pan Am Flight 73. "They had lost patience. List of Dead and Survivors on Pan American Plane, https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/29/archives/list-of-dead-and-survivors-on-pan-american-plane.html. Our responsibility is to assist U.S. citizens.. She could have easily been the first one to escape but she chose to push everyone else out. The motion will be argued on July 21, 2003. Can religion save us from Artificial Intelligence? Defendant Safarini will be held in prison pending trial. They gave us strength. Survivors condemn hijacker in Pan Am massacre . He had been on a climbing expedition in northern Pakistan to say goodbye to his elder brother Pete, a doctor who had died during . But win or lose, what strikes me is how a 10-year-old victim has grown up to be an intelligent and passionate young lawyer willing to take on a big international law firm that has threatened her with legal reprisals. You can argue that setting aside the lawsuit brought by Crowell & Moring was one of the benefits to Libya in signing a pact and therefore that the lawyers deserve some payment for their work. Print. I ran bare feet for almost two kilometres on the tarmac. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact the FBI or submit a tip at https://tips.fbi.gov. 2 and Beyond, FROM THE ARCHIVES: The Shocking Death of Princess Diana, 25 Years Ago Today. 2023 BBC. Flight attendant Sherene Pavan, who was out of sight of the militants, heard the commotion, reached for the intercom and pressed the emergency number to the cockpit. The gunmen's plan was to force the pilots to fly them to Cyprus and Israel, where other members of their militant group were incarcerated on terror charges. On Mar. "Survivors [of such atrocities] are living each day with the memories," says Madhvi. 19 Jan, 2018, 11.19 PM IST. The United States Attorney's Office In Your Neighborhood. Neerja Bhanot was senior flight purser on the Empress of the Seas, a Pan Am 747 hijacked at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi by four armed men from the Abu Nidal organization en route to Frankfurt and New York. When the doors were thrown open, I realised I had jumped onto the wing. Her husband, Sadanand Singh, said she was killed when she threw herself in front of her son and daughter. Asked about the role of Pakistani commandos in ending the hijack episode, he said grimly, None of the people saw any commandos., When the lights went out in the plane, he said, the terrorists killed indiscriminately, firing their machine guns from less than a yard away.. New Images Released in 1986 Hijacking Case. Herhold: The heritage of a 24-year-old hijacking, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Los Gatos: Hundreds still without power as Black Road repair project finishes early. By law, the government will have 30 days to decide whether to appeal this ruling. The answer: "We are Pan Am Flight 914 en route from New York to Miami, Florida, with a crew of 4 and 57 passengers on board." At this point, the control tower personnel were stunned in silence. Thirty-two years later, Trahan, now 33, is a wife and mother who has learned to cope with unbelievable loss. Ill get to the details in a second. The court suspended the hearing before it was completed due to a lack of sufficient interpreters for the defendant. (Credits: Solo shots - individuals' own; group shot: Pan Am crew Facebook page), The crew now: (From top left to bottom right), all credits to the individuals) Sherene, Massey, Madhvi, Sunshine, Dilip, Nupoor, Passenger Mike Thexton has praised the flight attendants' bravery, A film has recently been released about Neerja Bhanot, who was fatally injured in the hijack.