His name is Jasper Schuringa:
The passenger who tackled a suspected terrorist on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 said Saturday that he’s “happy” to be alive.
Jasper Schuringa, a video director and producer from Amsterdam, told CNN how he helped the cabin crew to subdue Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the 23-year-old who reportedly ignited a small explosive device on board the plane Friday as it prepared to land in Detroit.
Schuringa said he heard a sound that reminded him of a firecracker and someone yelling, “Fire! Fire!”
But he was only certain something was wrong when he saw smoke. He saw Abdulmutallab's pants open and he was holding a burning object between his legs.
"I pulled the object from him and tried to extinguish the fire with my hands and threw it away," Schuringa said.
He said he then screamed for water and pulled Abdulmutallab out of his seat and dragged him to the front of the plane.
Schuringa told CNN that Abdulmutallab seemed out of it and "was staring into nothing."
To ensure the suspect did not have other explosives on his body, Schuringa stripped off Abdulmutallab's clothes. He then handcuffed the alleged attacker with the help of a crew member.
Schuringa said the other passengers applauded as he returned to his seat and that he sustained minor injuries during the take down.
My hands are pretty burned. I am fine," he said. "I am shaken up. I am happy to be here."And your fellow travelers are happy you were there as well Mr. Schuringa.
His Facebook page is here... I suspect he'll get a ton of friend requests.
