KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City firefighter is being credited for preventing an airliner tragedy recently. The incident on an AirTran plane flying to Kansas City started when a man foaming at the mouth lunged for the airliner’s cabin door, trying to open it as flight attendants struggled to hold him at bay. The Kansas City Star reported when a crew member came on the intercom asking if anyone had medical training, passenger Jabir Hazziez, Jr., heard the worry in her voice and went to the front of the plane. When the man attacked him, Hazziez bulldogged him to the floor, and with the help of another passenger, held him for about 20 minutes until the plane made an emergency landing in Memphis. The Star reported that authorities say the man had an adverse reaction to a vaccine. Hazziez, a Muslim, said what he did that day was in keeping with the teachings of Islam to help those in need and protect those who can’t help themselves. He is also a reserve deputy for Jackson County, Mo.
Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2 p.m.
