unilad homepage
unilad homepage
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • World News
    • Crime
    • Health
    • Money
    • Sport
    • Travel
  • Music
  • Technology
  • Film and TV
    • News
    • DC Comics
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Netflix
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Doctor treating survivor of South Korea plane crash shares what he said after waking up following rescue
Home>News>World News
Published 17:07 29 Dec 2024 GMT

Doctor treating survivor of South Korea plane crash shares what he said after waking up following rescue

One of two survivors from the plane crash has spoken for the first time since the incident

Lucy Devine

Lucy Devine

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: BBC/Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Topics: News, World News, Jeju Air, Health

Lucy Devine
Lucy Devine

Advert

Advert

Advert

Warning: This article contains graphic images, video and description which some readers may find distressing

A doctor who has been treating one of the survivors of the South Korea plane crash has spoken about what he said when he woke from the devastating incident.

At around 9:03am local time on Sunday (December 29), a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet crash landed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, about 180 miles south of Seoul.

As investigations continue into the crash, it has been confirmed that 179 out of a total of 181 people on board the Jeju Air Flight 2216 have been declared dead in what is South Korea's worst domestic civil aviation disaster ever.

Advert

As authorities try to make sense of what happened, it's believed that the pilot was forced to make a crash landing at the Muan International Airport when the landing gear of the aircraft failed to deploy.

Footage from the airport showed the plane skidding across the runway without its landing gear open before it collided with the wall and burst into flames.

Director of the Aviation Policy Division at South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Joo Jong-wan said, as per NBC News, that the pilot 'declared mayday after issuing the bird strike alert'.

A bird strike is when a plane collides with a bird mid-flight. While the majority have little impact on the aircraft, some can cause significant damage to the engine of a plane.

Investigations into the crash are ongoing (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
Investigations into the crash are ongoing (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Following the alert, it is reported that the plane was cleared to land, but in the opposite direction.

Since the devastating incident, it has been confirmed that out of 181 passengers and crew on the flight, 179 sadly died.

There are two survivors of the crash, both crew members, who are now being treated for their injuries at local hospitals.

According to news agency Yonhap, one survivor - a 33-year-old flight attendant - has reportedly told doctors that he 'woke up and was rescued'.

The news agency quoted a hospital director named Ju Woong who is reported as saying: “He’s fully able to communicate. There's no indication yet of memory loss or such."

The crash occurred at around 9:03am local time on December 29 (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
The crash occurred at around 9:03am local time on December 29 (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

As news continues to emerge regarding the circumstances leading up to the crash, according to local media in South Korea, one passenger onboard the flight sent a text to a family member, where they claimed a bird was 'stuck in the wing' which was supposedly stopping the plane from landing.

"Should I leave my last words," the passenger allegedly wrote.

After this message, the relative said that they did not hear from the passenger again.

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
5 hours ago
  •  Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
    an hour ago

    JD Vance and wife Usha announce birth of their fourth child

    The Vice President and Second Lady shared news of their expanding family as congratulations pour in from political figures nationwide

    News
  • Odd ANDERSEN / AFP via Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Donald Trump sparks hilarity as he refuses to leave Spain's World Cup trophy photo in 'Chelsea rerun'

    Just like the Club World Cup final, the US President awkwardly lingered on stage alongside Gianni Infantino as La Roja celebrated their win

    News
  • CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Argentina players branded 'disgusting' as wild post-match chaos and red card disgrace World Cup final loss

    Social media has erupted in fury as furious Albiceleste stars had to be forcefully restrained following a heated defeat to Spain.

    News
  •  ANP via Getty Images
    5 hours ago

    Tom Cruise's 'cringy' World Cup final speech sparks backlash - and its down to the final line

    The Hollywood icon left American sports purists absolutely enraged by choosing global phrasing on US soil

    News
  • Wife of sole survivor of Air India crash makes heartbreaking admission about his recovery and future
  • Sole survivor of Air India crash explains how his life has changed since tragedy and heartbreaking impact it's had
  • Everything we know about South Korea plane crash that has killed 179 people
  • Chilling plea pilot of Air India plane gave security guard before crash killing 260