Man falls to death from Passenger Plane Flying over where I Live
By cynthiann
@cynthiann (18602)
Jamaica
September 12, 2012 11:27am CST
It happened two days ago. Let me explain. My sister's house is right in the airspace where planes fly over in preparation to land at the airpot in London. They start at 5.30 am daily and they are goimng over about every five minutes all day.
So this poor man was evidently a stowaway on the plane and when the pilot put down the wheels or something in preparation to land, and the man was then thrown from the plane and landed just a few minutes away from her house and yes, I was inside the house at the time it happened. My sister was in hospital, so missed it all.
My understanding is that this happens several times a year so I suppose it cannot be prevented. Perhaps even, the person who smuggled him into the hold knew what would happen. Who knows?
I can't help thinking of the problems that made him take the chance and the anguish his family must be going through waiting to hear from him. No identification was on the body so they don't know who he is.
Would you be desperate enough to enter a country illegally this way?
5 people like this
17 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
12 Sep 12
That is really very sad. We can only hope he had a good enough reason to risk his life. Who is to say he wasn't aware of the possibilities? I don't know how the cargo hold or what have you works in planes like that. Whomever helped smuggle him in must feel awful now though, if they didn't know before what possibly could happen.
The fact it happens so frequently, you think they'd be checking the planes over from top to bottom minutes before they took off.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
12 Sep 12
It must be a scam or a racket where several people are involved in the smuggling. Probably before the luggage is loaded onto the plane. I just don't know but it is so sad.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
12 Sep 12
I didn't think about that angle, but it sounds like money greedy people who dont' care about the lives of the people or their families. The fact no Identifcation, it must've been hidden with those who smuggled the guy.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
12 Sep 12
It sounds horribble but I am thinking the same as you. Therefore, his family will never know and may think that he has deserted them. People sometimes do desperate things when they cannot see a way out of their problems
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
13 Sep 12
Maybe a desperate man really doesn't have boundaries or limits just so he gets through what he wants. It is very unfortunate for the man to have fallen and left unidentified. I'm sure his family is longing to hear form him. 
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
13 Sep 12
That is the point. How will his family ever know? They may think that he has deserted them
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
12 Sep 12
OMGOSH, that is awful. I'm glad he didn't land in coleen's yard . I would hate for u to see something like that, VCynthi. NO, I don't want to go to any other company period. If i did it sure wouldn't be that way.What was wrong w/sister? Sorry she had to be in the hospital but at least u got some peace & quiet for a change.hugs.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
13 Sep 12
he landed very close to her house-less than 200 yards away on the pavement by the road.I unserstand that it was not a good sight.
Colleen went int hospital to have her eart shocked as it fibrillates. What was to be an overnight procedure ended up being a 6 night procedure as she was anaemic plus dreadful bruising from groin to ankle. Came out on crutches. Not sure if it is a success but I am praying that it is a she really cannot manage alone too well. Could manage if she did not drink but that is not going to change:(
1 person likes this
@silverfox09 (4708)
• United States
13 Sep 12
Its sad to hear . People from certain countries are always trying to smuggle to another country some times on boat and few die during their trip . I think I am not desperate but some people live in real hard countries that wont even grant them visa to even leave its a real pity . some of us are fortunate but others are facing different situation .
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
13 Sep 12
I keep imagining whatn his last thoughts could have been. May his soul rest in poeace. I do understand his desperation. The world is in turbulent times and it is nit ending. Prosperity for most people is but a dream
@romzee (937)
• Philippines
13 Sep 12
Sad to hear almost same story over and over again...
Out of hunger and desperation, more and more people from third world countries are doing stupid things just to be in what they think is their "land of promise". Sad to say that's a reality we are facing here in the Philippines. Lack of job opportunity, poverty and hunger lead my fellow filipinos to try it out earning a living abroad legally and illegally.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
13 Sep 12
I live in the Caribbean and many people will obtain a false passport or visa to get to the US or UK but I have never heard of them hiding in the bowels of an aircraft and then dying this way.People think that the grass is greener and it often isn't. So many countries including my own are suffering from the fall out of the greed of the bankers. Ripple effect around the world. I do undesrstand the problem but have no concrete suggestions. I encourage people in my country to try and set up their own little business by selling on the roads and in the markets. The profit is small but it is something
1 person likes this
@shokriw (26)
• Eritrea
12 Sep 12
poor guy, very sad story. probably was looking for an opportunity. I've heard a lot of story like this from close people,fortunately, most ended good. People cross the Mediterranean in small inefficient boats. Boats are made for 10-15 passengers instead 30-35 passengers board it. NO captain and none of the passengers are experience in navigating the boat, only a compass in their hands and hope in their heart. Surviving the waves,storms,hunger and thirst arriving to the dream land.
The journey takes between 7-10 days. Some may arrive while other rest in peace under the sea.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
13 Sep 12
I live in Jamaica and we have experienced boats from Haiti and it just tears my heart. In one boat was a pregnant lady clutching hern two year old son. That is desperation - to step into a boat six months pregnant with your child.
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
13 Sep 12
No I would not do such a thing, I'd e too chicken! (Or too smart!) I must be a cynic for my first thought was his trying to enter this country for nefarious reasons!!
- Thank goodness this sort of thing does not happen often! (Although I can see by your post it happens a bit more often then I have thought.)
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
13 Sep 12
It has happened before but I am unable to say how often. I think he was trying to enter to work illegally - and that would have been a hard thing to do without a support system. I am sorry that he lost his life and so sorry for his family as they may never know what really happened to him
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
15 Sep 12
I found out yesterday that he was from Angola in Africa. Evidently he had soem coins on him and they were identified as coming from that country. From responses given, no one lives after a long flight in freezing temperatures
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
18 Sep 12
I guess it depends on the situation going on in his own country. I'm sure he didn't expect that to happen.
If it happens frequently, you'd think they would do more to stop it, such as checking that area just before take off, and periodically during the flight.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
18 Sep 12
I can't imagine someone doing this knowing he wouldn't survive. It seems pointless. If they wanted to help him, why would they smuggling him on knowing he'd die from hypothermia then fall? I think it was more or less an accident. Either he smuggled himself on, or someone else who was unaware of what would happen smuggled him on.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
18 Sep 12
I think that thee would be a case for manslaughter if they could find the person who smuggles him on board.Someone must have done it and at a price too.Evidently itis when they lowered the wheels in preparation for landing that his body fell. I keep thinking of his family waiting for news of him
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
12 Sep 12
thats just terrible. it sounds like the ignorance that goes on with people leaving their kids and pets in the car etc. likely they didnt realise what could happen. there needs to be media coverage and warnings put out about this all over the country. also, like i said, its like they should cover that as much in warning in leaving breathing things in a car. signs in different languages should be put up all over the airport about it. 
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
13 Sep 12
I thino too ghat it is desperation and ignorance. If you could see the security in London then you would know that it is so unlikely that he could have left the plane and walked out of the airport.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
15 Sep 12
There are many ways to get into a country illegaly, and by far this is the saddest I've heard.
I live in a port city and I often hear about crews of cruise ships that dock here jumping off board and leave their jobs just to get in this city, this country. But at least I think this is safer than being in a landing gear not knowing when it'll throw you off.
I live in a port city and I often hear about crews of cruise ships that dock here jumping off board and leave their jobs just to get in this city, this country. But at least I think this is safer than being in a landing gear not knowing when it'll throw you off.@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
15 Sep 12
As I respond the planes are still flying over the house and I keep thinking of him as he must have been so scared and lonely.Poor man - to be so desperate
@Cutie18f (9551)
• Philippines
13 Sep 12
What was he thinking? Did he plan to hijack the plane? I think what he did was too dangerous. No person in his right state of mind would ever do that.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
13 Sep 12
He must have been so desperate to get on the plane. No he could not hijack from the depths of the plane. He was probably just hoping to reach the UK and make a better life. But he would have been caught eventually
@sunshinefame (287)
• Philippines
13 Sep 12
May his soul rest in peace... Illegally Seeking greener pastures, risking his life, is not good at all... It turns all to vain.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
13 Sep 12
I agree with you and feel so sorry for the man. Definitely all in vain
@varunkrishna007 (1909)
• India
13 Sep 12
That is really an unfortunate accident and completely avoidable one. I had seen in some action movies where hero jumps in between the wheels and jump off to take on the villian. But I never thought somebody would actually get ito an aircraft like that. it throws light into inadequate security system at the airport. If a man can get in there, most certainly somebody can plant a bomb there too.
@shaggin (71672)
• United States
13 Sep 12
That is truly very sad. I feel very badly for this mans family. I think what he did was wrong and now he lost his life because of it. I'm glad you sister missed this as I dont think it is a site that I would want to see. How scary really I mean if there was a child out there playing he could have landed on her and killed her or even the child would have to see this man fall from the sky and die in front of her. It could be very messy.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
13 Sep 12
I am living with her until I return to Jamaica at the ned of the month.Have been with her six months. The man landed very close by to the house and it was messy. I was in the house when it happened but I did not go to look at the man. It is so awful. It happened about 8am in the morning so children could have been going to school
@mikyung (2232)
• Philippines
13 Sep 12
I will not be be desperate to enter a country illegally that way. if safety and the lives of my beloved ones is in stake. I wont do that. I can wait and make an effort to process my entry to a country.
My heart goes to the victim and to his beloved ones as he may be the one working for their living. Who knows, he is really desperate and have no choice but to do it.
But for me, I will not do it, i will exhaust all resources just to make things prosper.
Thanks
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
13 Sep 12
I agree with you. I would do it the legal way if I was young and wanted to emigrate. I feel it for his family as they may never know what happened to him
