A courageous military veteran, on her way to see her newborn grandson, sprang into action to prevent a disturbed passenger from opening a plane’s emergency door while flying.
Nicole Pruitt was on the Delta Airlines flight from her home in Georgia to Tucson, Arizona, on July 16 when the terrifying ordeal unfolded.
The elderly widow, who dedicated 26 years to the US Army, recalled that a fellow female traveler insisted she had to exit the plane mid-flight after claiming divine instruction, as reported by KOLD.
The unidentified woman made a break for the cockpit and main exit – leading Pruitt to intervene and help subdue the woman.
‘No one else was taking action, so I realized I needed to step in,’ she informed KOLD. ‘I must get back to my children and grandchildren.
The disturbance caused the flight to be diverted back to Atlanta one hour after it took off.
Footage capturing the aftermath showed the passenger lying on the ground with her hands tied behind her back as Pruitt stood over her.
The clip went viral on social media, with many praising Pruitt for her heroism.
The grandma, who served in the US Army for 26 years, recounted that a female passenger said she needed get off the plane mid-flight after speaking with God
Footage capturing the aftermath showed the passenger lying on the ground with her hands tied behind her back as Pruitt stood over her
Her son, Tyrique Perry, was in disbelief when his mom texted him to explain what happened.
‘She overtook the stewardess, none of the men wanted to help, so my mom said she had to step in,’ Perry revealed in a TikTok video.
He told KOLD that he wasn’t surprised that his mom saved the day.
‘Those are kids on that plane that have a whole life to live, those are grandparents on that plane,’ he said.
‘Just people full of life and potential.’
In a separate video, Pruitt recalled the harrowing experience of seeing the passenger running from the back of the plane toward the cockpit.
Pruitt said the passenger was getting aggressive with the flight crew and made an ominous threat that she ‘didn’t want to be on the plane.’
The grandmother said the woman told a flight attendant, ‘I have a calling and God told me to do it.’
Pruitt said the passenger was getting aggressive with the flight crew and made an ominous threat that she ‘didn’t want to be on the plane’
The videos of the interaction went viral online, with many social media users praising Pruitt’s fast action and calling on Delta to give her a lifetime of free flights
The videos gained traction on social media, with many viewers praising Pruitt’s bravery and calling on Delta to give her a lifetime of free flights.
‘Come on Delta! She needs life time first class tickets!!!!! She LITTERALLY saved everyone!!’ one comment read.
‘As a flight attendant it is people like Mama Nicky that we are eternally grateful for!!!!’ another wrote.
‘You probably prevented a devastating act and saved so many lives!!
‘You’re the definition of a true hero!!’ a third added.
Pruitt’s son started a GoFundMe for the community to show their support and gratitude for her.
‘With panic spreading and flight attendants overwhelmed, my mom, a mother, grandmother, daughter, protector, and retired U.S. Army veteran, stood up, stepped forward, and handled it,’ the description read.
‘She wasn’t asked. She wasn’t trained for a moment like this. She just knew someone had to act, and she did.’
Her son, Tyrique Perry, was in disbelief when his mom texted him to explain what happened
Delta issued a statement on the incident that read: ‘Delta sincerely appreciates the actions of our crew and customers for de-escalating this situation.
‘We apologize to our customers for the delay and thank them for their understanding.’
Law enforcement was notified of the disturbance, but it’s unclear if any charges were filed.
There were 180 customers on board, two pilots, and four flight attendants.
