Mom Rushed to Open Emergency Exit After LaGuardia Crash and Found Napkins in Her Bag to Give to Bleeding Man

A New York nurse has recounted her experience of surviving a tragic plane crash at LaGuardia Airport, showcasing her quick actions in a moment of crisis. Rebecca Liquori, a registered nurse, was aboard Air Canada Express Flight 8646 when it collided with a firetruck on Sunday, March 22. This incident resulted in the deaths of two pilots and injuries to numerous passengers.

Liquori, who was on her way back to Long Island after attending a family baby shower in Montreal, described the moments leading up to the crash. After multiple delays, she was eager to return home to her two young sons before her shift at work the next day. Seated in the emergency exit row, Liquori had been briefed by the flight attendant about her responsibilities in case of an emergency.

The flight initially progressed without incident, but turbulence began as the plane descended. Liquori recalled the unsettling feeling in the cabin as heavy shaking occurred, compounded by the crew’s instructions to keep seatbelts fastened. Suddenly, she heard a disturbing grinding sound, followed by the force of the impact.

In the chaos that ensued, Liquori’s thoughts immediately turned to her family. “I thought, ‘This is it for me,’” she reflected on that terrifying moment. Following the crash, the cabin erupted into confusion, with passengers struggling to comprehend what had happened. Disturbingly, it was later revealed that a flight attendant was ejected from the aircraft during the collision.

Despite the panic, Liquori’s medical training kicked in. She quickly assessed the situation and noticed that a man next to her was bleeding profusely from a head injury. Drawing on her nursing skills, she located napkins in her bag to help staunch the flow of blood. Alongside another passenger, Liquori worked to open the emergency exit, determined to assist others in escaping.

With no emergency slides available, passengers began to exit the plane using the wing and ground responders directed them to safety. “We got it out of the way and people were running out, jumping off the wing,” Liquori recounted. The sense of urgency amongst passengers was palpable, and many were desperate to escape the wreckage.

Once on the tarmac, Liquori provided her mobile phone to a fellow passenger to connect with their loved ones, all while her husband was en route to the airport after receiving distress notifications from her phone. There was a tense period when he was unaware of her condition, with both fearing the worst.

Shortly after the evacuation, Liquori was transported to a hospital for evaluation but has since been released. As she continues to seek medical checks following the incident, she expresses gratitude for her life. “I feel like I’ve been given a second chance to just be a mum,” she stated, reflecting on her brush with death and her commitment to make the most of her life.

As the investigation into the collision unfolds, testimonies from survivors like Liquori highlight the harrowing experience and the camaraderie formed in the face of danger. Many passengers have reported that their collective efforts in the aftermath of the crash contributed to a more orderly evacuation. Despite the trauma, Liquori remains hopeful and committed to embracing her role as a mother and healthcare professional.