When the left engine blew out on Southwest Airlines flight 1380, passenger Jennifer Riordan was partially sucked out of her window. Andrew Needum and another passenger pulled her back into the plane, but she later died of her injuries.

Needum, a firefighter, was flying with his family. He’s heartbroken for the woman’s family. “There was a family that lost a loved one,” Needum told CNN Thursday morning. “I feel for her family. I feel for her two kids, her husband, the community that she lived in. I can’t imagine what they’re going through. … I just pray they find comfort, they find healing.”

He added that he’s thankful that his family survived. “We give all the glory to God just being here right now. … We’re standing strong. We’ve had some emotional ups and downs but God is good and He’s carrying us through.”

He wouldn’t describe what happened with Riordan. “What took place back there I’m going to leave, out of respect for her family, I’m going to leave that alone.”

“God put people on that plane for a reason,” said Needum. He felt a calling to try to help Riordan. Fellow passengers were helping each other as well. 

His wife, Stephanie, said she was very proud of him. “I do feel like God has called us all to do special things. Andrew’s is to serve other people and I knew that God had him on there. … That’s what his calling is, to help.”

Needum’s family is still healing. “This isn’t over as far as the healing goes. But we know that we’re not alone. Like I said earlier, we’re standing here strong and just know that God’s in control and we’ll move forward.”

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