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Jun 9, 2009 8:24 pm US/Eastern
NTSB Apologizes To 'Miracle On Hudson' Attendant
AMBRIDGE (KDKA) ―
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Doreen Welsh, a native of Ambridge, was on U.S. Airways Flight 1549 when it crash landed into the Hudson River.
KDKA
One of the safety issues being examined by the NTSB hearings about Flight 1549 is why the cabin of the plane flooded so quickly - and who opened a rear door during ditching - a flight attendant or a panicky passenger?
Even before today's hearing began NTSB member, Robert Sumwalt, commented that passenger Billy Campbell indicated that it was Flight Attendant Doreen Welsh of Beaver County who opened the door.
But during testimony Tuesday, the NTSB made it clear that the statement made by Sumwalt was wrong and passenger Billy Campbell testified that Doreen Welsh was a hero.
Both shock - and awe were the reactions to the images of US Airways Captain "Sully" Sullenberger ditching Flight 1549 in the Hudson River last January.
Flight Attendant Doreen Welsh remembers those last minutes in the plane clearly.
"We looked in each others eyes and we know what we went through together," she said.
All passengers and crew were safely rescued but the passing months have not been easy for those who were onboard.
"I personally have a lot of healing to do - it was a very traumatic experience to go through," she said.
There is video of 58-year-old Flight Attendant Doreen Welsh of Ambridge on January 15th huddled with paramedics after her rescue. She had suffered a severe leg injury and post-traumatic stress.
But the Associated Press report quoting the NTSB member this past weekend was emotionally wrenching.
"It was very painful and very hurtful especially because I knew none of it was true," Welsh said.
NTSB spokesman Peter Knudsen says the AP report was wrong.
"Billy Campbell never contradicted the account of the flight attendant that a passenger opened the rear door," Knudsen said.
"As I said initially, a passenger came back and cracked the door, says Welsh, "The handle has to go all the way from the bottom to the top - it was cracked an inch just enough to break the seal."
During today's hearing the NTSB again formally corrected the remarks made by board member Robert Sumwalt.
And passenger Billy Campbell testified about Doreen Welsh's heroism.
"You know she was courageous, she was direct, she didn't hesitate to say, 'Turn around you have to go out the front.' She waited until all of us had gone to the front and, she was heroic," he said.
"His comments today meant the world to me - I appreciate them - and I thank him from the bottom of my heart," Welsh said.
Doreen, a veteran of 39 years with US Airways, has flown since the ditching - but only if her son is with her.
"I don't think I would be able walk on an aircraft yet by myself," she said.
Doreen Welsh hopes that with the end of the hearings the focus will return to the real story of the "Miracle on the Hudson."
"155 people got out of that aircraft – alive," she said.
The NTSB now believes that it was a crack in the tail of the fuselage that caused the freezing water to enter the aircraft before anyone ever got out of their seats.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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