Marine Dies After Pulling Airplane Crash Victim From Burning Wreckage
27-year-old Marine Austin Anderson is being hailed as a hero this week after he pulled Hannah Luce, 22, from the wreckage of a burning airplane crash, he then walked with her to a nearby road to find help.
Hannah is listed in stable but serious condition in a Kansas City hospital after suffering burns on 28 percent of her body, while Anderson died a short time after rescuing the young lady from the fiery crash.
According to Hannah’s father Ron luce:
“While we’re thankful for this miracle of Hannah, we are truly grieving with all these parents.
Hannah boarded the eight-seater twin-engine Cessna 401 plane with three friends before heading to a Christian youth rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa, an event called Acquire the Fire which was organized by her father.
During take off from a Tulsa airport something went wrong with the plane which landed in a field, skidded nearly 200 feet and then smashed into several trees before exploding into flames.
Dying at the scene were 23-year-old pilot Luke Sheets, 29-year-old Garret Coble and 22-year-old Stephen Luth.
The pilot, 23-year-old Luke Sheets died at the scene, as did 29-year-old Garrett Coble and 22-year-old Stephen Luth.
Austin Anderson had completed two tours in Iraq and had just graduated from Oral Roberts University with Luce on May 5.
Doctors revealed that Anderson died in the hospital after suffering burns over 90 percent of his body.
A friend of Austin’s told ABC News:
“It would totally be like Austin’s character. He was such a tough guy, but once you got to know him he was so much a teddy bear.”
Ron Luce spoke about Anderson’s character with ABC News Kansas City affiliate KMBC:
“He served two tours in Iraq, and he was willing to give his life for his country. He was willing to give his life for a friend. He was always willing to go that extra mile.”
Hannah is expected to undergo skin grafts on Monday to help aid in the recovery of her burns.
The young girl was responsive and her father says while she acknowledged the burns she was just happy to be alive.
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May 14, 2012
wow so sad… a true hero. condolences to the families that lost
May 14, 2012
wait so Austin wasn't even in the plane, but got burned over 90% of his body just trying to rescue the girl? That's one tough marine. This man deserves some real recognition.
May 14, 2012
Bravery beyond all understanding… peace be with the families…
May 14, 2012
What a true hero and a brave caring human. Such a sad loss for his family and the other people lost in the crash.
May 14, 2012
Wow what a hero and this broke my heart… prayers to his family and for his friend he gave his life for <3
May 14, 2012
Wow what a hero and this broke my heart… prayers to his family and for his friend he gave his life for <3
May 14, 2012
My heart aches for this HERO. I will pray for his families strength to endure this tragedy.
May 14, 2012
Yes Austin Anderson was on the plane… Here is more info I got from the news link…
Hannah Luce is the only one of five people who survived when a twin-engine Cessna 401 crashed Friday afternoon northwest of Chanute. Three died at the scene, and a fourth, who Luce said helped his daughter walk from the wreckage to a nearby road, died early Saturday morning at a hospital in Wichita.
All five were on their way from Tulsa, Okla., to an Acquire the Fire rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It was the last of 33 such events this year held across the U.S. by Teen Mania Ministries, which Luce said he created 25 years ago to reach out to troubled youths. The ministry is based in Garden Valley, Texas, where the Luce family lives.
"There could be no prouder parents than the parents of the four remarkable young men who were killed," Luce said.
The Kansas Highway Patrol identified the victims as pilot Luke Sheets, 23, of Ephraim, Wis.; Austin Anderson, 27, of Ringwood, Okla.; Garrett Coble, 29, of Tulsa, Okla.; and Stephen Luth, 22, of Muscatine, Iowa.
Read more: http://www.kmbc.com/news/31058392/detail.html#ixzz1usUWvdeL.
May 14, 2012
So sad but hero that goes 2 heaven r.i.p also his family I will oray 4the betterness,n strength needed
May 14, 2012
It's so sad to hear that a hero died helping others but god has a plan for him so all Angels should be with god my god have him in his glory
May 14, 2012
Wow so sad but proud of this man
May 14, 2012
Everyday we read or watch on TV how someone kills another person or several people. We also read about all the child molesters and on and on! While this is a horrific tragedy for the four young people and their families it's refreshing to read about someone already doing something outstanding by going to a Christian youth rally, give up his own life to save a friend! Now that's what you call a REAL MAN!
May 14, 2012
A true hero. I hope that I raise my sons and daughter to be the kinda person that this young man was. May God heal his family with the great knowledge that not only was he a hero but he is forever with the Lord awaiting their arrival. God bless Austin Anderson a true American hero.
May 14, 2012
how sad ;( but an amazing true hero.
May 14, 2012
Prayers to the family I hope she will be alright.
May 14, 2012
Who edited this piece before posting it? What has happened to writing, spelling, and syntax in our society?
May 14, 2012
what an Uplifting AND Heartbreaking Story!
May 15, 2012
This man arrived at the Pearly Gates and received is wings immediately!