Texas Firefighter Jumps To Action On Southwest Flight

CELINA, TX — A North Texas firefighter is being called a hero after jumping to an injured woman's aid on a Southwest Airlines flight forced to make an emergency landing Tuesday.

Andrew Needum, who has served as a full-time firefighter for four years, kept his right arm around his mother and his left hand clutching that of his wife as he addressed reporters in Celina's fire station Thursday.

Needum said he was traveling home from New York with his wife, parents and children Tuesday when he heard a loud pop and saw oxygen masks drop from overhead.

"We took off from La Guardia with no issues, a smooth takeoff," he said. "When we got in the air — I was informed we were somewhere around 32,000 feet — I heard a loud pop. Flight attendants were in the aisle. And I believe they had started to ask for drink orders when the pop occurred — when the engine failed."

Needum, who said in the conference that he was blessed with a servant's heart, put on his mask and helped his family do the same. Trained to act fast and help others, he said he then turned to help a young mother behind him.

"Immediately behind my wife was a young female traveling alone," he said. "She had about a 6-month-old child sitting in her lap. I got up from my seat and helped her try to get that mask on herself as well as on her child."

After hearing a commotion behind him, he turned and saw people rushing to the aid of Jennifer Riordan, a mother of two, wife, community activist, and banking executive who died from injuries she received when the engine blew.

Needum chose to bypass details of his efforts to save the injured woman "out of respect for her family," but instead spoke of how he wishes her family healing.

"My heart goes out to Jennifer and her family," he said "I can't imagine what they're going through."

His wife, Stephanie Needum, added, "I'm very proud of him. This is a calling that he has, and he did amazing."

For now, the Needum family is working to feel normal again. The firefighter said his children, 8-year-old Colton and 5-year-old Ellie, are both back in school today.

The kids, like so many others, see their father as a hero, Stephanie Needum said.

"God placed him there for a reason," she reiterated.

Lead image via Celina Fire Department