Ryanair passenger partially sucked out of window as wife clings to his legs

Ljubiša Karovi was travelling with his wife Svetlana Grkovi on a Ryanair flight on Friday, July 10, when disaster struck after the window next to his seat dislodged mid-air

The spouse of a passenger who was nearly dragged through a Ryanair aircraft window at 20,000ft has recounted her frantic efforts to rescue him during the harrowing mid-air emergency.

Ljubiša Karovi, from Serbia, was flying with his wife Svetlana Grkovi on a Ryanair service on Friday, July 10, when catastrophe unfolded.

The pair were heading home from a summer break in Greece when the aircraft encountered difficulties moments after departing Thessaloniki at 5.55am local time.

The pilot detected a problem with the engine while the plane was above North Macedonia and opted to return towards Thessaloniki.

During the descent, a section of the faulty engine detached and smashed into a cabin window beside where Mr Karovi was seated, reports the Express.

The collision resulted in the 61 year old being partly sucked out of the aircraft due to the cabin pressure.

His wife revealed she instantly seized hold of his legs as he dangled outside the plane.

Speaking to Nova, Ms Grkovi recalled: “It was as if a part of the engine broke off and hit the window next to which my husband Ljubiša was sitting.

“I reacted immediately and grabbed his legs. I thought: ‘If we die, we die together.’ It was horrible.”

Ms Grkovi expressed her desire to personally thank another passenger who assisted in saving her husband’s life throughout the ordeal.

Mr Karovi continues to receive hospital treatment following the incident and is understood to be unable to speak due to his injuries. His wife revealed he sustained friction burns, a severely damaged hand and multiple other burns, while also being left profoundly traumatised.

She explained he blacked out repeatedly throughout the ordeal and retains scant recollection of events.

A Ryanair spokesperson commented: “A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen on Friday morning (10 July) returned to Thessaloniki shortly after take-off when a passenger window dislodged inflight.

“The aircraft landed normally and passengers returned to the terminal.

“One passenger requested and received medical assistance on the ground in Thessaloniki.

“In order to minimise any delay, a replacement aircraft was arranged to bring passengers to Memmingen which departed Thessaloniki at 9:53 local this morning.”