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Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Air India plane crash to 'internal decapitation' - 5 times people cheated death
WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT. As the story of the story of Air India Flight 171 survivor Vishwash Ramesh leaves people stunned, the Mirror takes a look at five other cases of individuals who have survived against all odds People from all around the world have been fascinated by the story of Vishwash Ramesh, the British passenger who walked away from the site of the Air India Flight 171 with just a few minor injuries. The 40-year-old Londoner had been on the doomed Boeing jet when it crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in western India. It was initially assumed that all 242 people onboard had perished, but then, Vishwash emerged from the wreckage, revealing how the section of the plane he had been seated in landed on the ground, rather than hitting the roof of a building. Tragically, it's believed Vishwash, who had been travelling with his brother Ajay Kumar Ramesh, 45, is the sole survivor of a disaster which has sent shockwaves across the world. A total of 270 bodies were recovered from the crash site over the weekend, 241 of which had been on the plane when it nosedived into a medical college in a residential area of Ahmedabad. The other victims would have been on the ground when the terror unfolded. As remarkable as Vishwash's story undoubtedly is, he isn't the only person to have survived when all hope appeared to have been lost. Here, the Mirror takes a look at five instances when individuals appeared to cheat death itself under extraordinary circumstances. Shannon Malloy On January 25, 2007, a Nebraska resident by the name of Shannon Malloy suffered 'internal decapitation' after a car crash sent her slamming into the dashboard. The then 30-year-old woman was left without control over her own head after her skull became separated from her spine, but amazingly survived the horror incident without paralysis. In an interview with Denver station KMGH-TV, Dr. Gary Ghiselli, an orthopaedic spine surgeon from the Denver Spine Centre, revealed that he had never seen such an injury in a person still living. Shannon's loved ones were advised that they should prepare for the worst, but, to the wonder of medics, she stayed alive long enough for screws to be inserted in her head and neck, while a halo was attached to minimise movement. Shannon recalled: "My skull slipped off my neck about five times. Every time they tried to screw this to my head, I would slip.' As well as her neck injury, Shannon suffered a fractured skull, a bleed to the brain, and nerve damage, which left her cross-eyed. Medics view the fact that she was able to survive at all as a "miracle". Dr Ghiselli remarked: "It really is a miracle. I've seen this type of injury once before. Unfortunately, the patient didn't make it. It's a miracle that Shannon survived the actual accident. It's a miracle that she's made the progress she has." Vesna Vulovic On January 26, 1972, the doomed JAT Yugoslav Airlines Flight 367, which had been travelling between Stockholm in Sweden and Belgrade in Serbia, exploded above the mountains of the Czech Republic, breaking into three pieces. The Czechoslovak Civil Aviation Authority later determined that this was caused by a briefcase bomb which had been placed in the baggage compartment; however, no arrests were ever made. Almost all of those who'd been onboard that day, some 27 passengers and crew, died in the catastrophe. To the astonishment of all those who read about the story at the time, however, one young woman managed to survive against all odds - a 23-year-old flight attendant by the name of Vesna Vulovic. Vesna plunged 33,333 feet (10,160 metres; 6.31 miles) to the snowy ground below, a feat that would later earn her a Guinness World Record for the highest fall she had ever survived without a parachute. Her terrified screams thankfully reached the ears of heroic woodsman Bruno Honke, who rescued her from the debris field. The stewardess was taken to the hospital, where she slipped into a coma for 10 days. It was found that she'd suffered a fractured skull, two crushed vertebrae, and breaks to her pelvis, ribs and both legs. Her survival naturally left doctors baffled, and it was concluded that her being pinned down by a food cart at the tail end of the fuselage had ultimately offered her some protection. Although initially paralysed from the waist down, Vesna went on to make a near-full recovery and became something of a celebrity and symbol of resilience in Serbia. Many, understandably, also viewed her as extremely lucky. She once told The New York Times: "People always want to sit next to me on the plane." Ludger Sylbaris On May 7, 1902, labourer Ludger Sylbaris was thrown into a solitary cell in a prison in the vibrant port city of Saint-Pierre, Martinique, then referred to as the 'Paris of the West Indies', after getting himself into a brawl. Although at the time, it was no doubt vexing to be trapped in a half-underground cell, this positioning ultimately proved fortuitous, with the events that transpired next ultimately earning him the nickname "the man who lived through Doomsday". As Ludger languished in his dungeon-like cell, with a narrow slit in the door offering the only view out, the Mt. Pelée volcano, which loomed over the cosmopolitan city, exploded, killing almost 30,000 residents. There was no escape for those caught in the 1,075-degree pressure wave, which destroyed every building, ship, and human being in its path. Even those who sought refuge in shelters were not safe, with their lungs burned from the inside out as oxygen was replaced with lethal gases. In his isolated stone cell, Ludger was afforded a degree of protection that those walking free sadly didn't have. As detailed by Historic Mysteries, Ludger did suffer horrific burns after the inside of his cell rapidly heated up to 1000 degrees. However, he was able to avoid breathing in the toxic air by urinating on his clothes and using them to plug up the door grating. It would be four long days before rescuers came to his aid. By then, Saint-Pierre was in ruins, with only a handful of survivors having weathered the destruction. With the city where he'd lived and worked now a ghost town, Ludger was forced to begin again. He went on to find celebrity status after joining up with the Barnum & Bailey circus, where punters were captivated by his incredible tale of survival. Martunis Little Martunis was just seven years old when he survived the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, which saw a 30 m (100 ft) high wave wreak devastation along coastal areas of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. At least 225,000 people across 11 countries died in the tragedy, including Martunis' own mother and sisters. Recalling that terrible day in December 2024, 20 years on, Martunis remembered: 'I was playing football with my friends when suddenly an earthquake struck. "I rushed home and gathered with my mother, older sister, and younger sister, and we hugged each other. Then someone shouted that the sea water was rising and I ran together with my mother, my little sister and older sister." The family desperately attempted to escape in a pickup truck, but when it overturned, they got separated. Martunis, now 27, shared: "At that moment, I picked up my little sister and handed her to my mother. "I also picked up my older sister and helped her when she was drowning in the water. I tried to lift my sisters who were drowning, but we got separated. "I found myself on a mattress. As the mattress started to sink, I grabbed onto a school bench, but that also sank. "Then I saw a coconut. I hugged it like hugging a football until I climbed onto another mattress. I passed out several times... I was drowning. Suddenly, I found myself on a big tree and was carried towards the sea. "When I woke up, I didn't see a single person anymore. I couldn't find anyone who was alive. I just saw a lot of corpses around me. I was lost in the mangrove swamp for 21 days, trying to find food. "Sometimes I found biscuits and also some other food, like instant noodles, bottled water, as well as other drinks. On day 20, I ran out of food and had to drink rainwater." Eventually, Martunis was found on a beach by a Sky News TV crew, and taken to the hospital. By this point, he was dehydrated, malnourished and covered in mosquito bites, but miraculously, alive. He was thankfully reunited with his father, Sarbini, on the hospital wards, thanks to Save The Children through their Family Tracking and Reunification programme. The counterfeit Portugal football top Martunis had been wearing at the time of his rescue brought his story to the attention of professional footballers, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who reportedly paid for Martunis' education. Martunis even went on to enjoy significant footballing success in his own right and went on to sign an academy contract for Ronaldo's old club, Sporting Lisbon. Alcides Mareno On the morning of December 7, 2007, window cleaner Alcides Moreno and his younger brother Edgar took the lift to the top floor of the 47-storey Solow Tower building in Manhattan, New York City. Just as they stepped out onto the scaffold to wash the glass, the cables holding the 16ft wide (4.9m) washing platform in place "slipped from their attachment point", as per the United States Department of Labour accident report. Sadly, Edgar, 30, fell instantly to his death, striking the top of a wall at an estimated speed of 124 mph. Alcides, then 37, clung tightly to the aluminium platform, which acted almost like an airborne surfboard, slowing his descent. When emergency services went to rescue Alcides from a heap of twisted metal, he was still breathing and even made attempts to stand up, BBC News later reported. Alcides' injuries were severe, and he had to undergo 16 different operations to repair the extensive damage to his body, including his kidneys, brain, bones, and lungs. He also received 24 pints of blood and 19 pints of plasma, enough to replace all his blood twice over. Experts were left amazed that Alcides had lived to tell the tale. As reported by the New York Post, Dr. Sheldon Teperman, director of trauma and critical-care surgery at Jacobi Medical Centre in The Bronx, made the following comments at the time: 'Fifty per cent of people who fall four to five stories die. By the time you reach 10 or 11 stories, just about everyone dies. This guy absolutely should have died.'
New York Post
09-06-2025
- New York Post
Jax Gratton, Denver hairstylist missing since April, found dead at 34
Jax Gratton, the 34-year-old hairstylist who had been missing in Denver since April, has been found dead, her mother revealed. Cherilynne Gratton-Camis made the tragic revelation a Facebook post Saturday, saying her daughter has been 'taken from this world far too soon.' 'With a broken heart, I share the news that our beloved Jax Gratton has been found — and she is no longer with us,' she wrote. 4 Jax Gratton, the 34-year-old hairstylist who had been missing in Denver since April, has been found dead, her mother revealed. Jax Gratton / Facebook 'There are no words strong enough for the grief we are feeling. The light she carried, the love she gave so freely, and the joy she brought into our lives have been taken from this world far too soon.' 'I want to thank everyone — near and far — who has shown up for us,' Gratton-Camis went on. 'Everyone who shared her story. Everyone who shared her face. Everyone who sent out a prayer, a hope, a kind thought. Everyone who hit the ground running and hasn't stopped.' In her post, Gratton-Camis shared that her daughter — a trans woman — helped her understand the experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community 'in ways I can't ignore.' 'It's not just about Jax — it's about all of you in the LGBTQIA+ community who face the world every day with courage, just wanting to live, love and exist safely and equally. That should never be a fight. And yet it is,' she continued. 'Jax Gratton was a light — I know that. She lit up so many lives just by being herself. Unapologetically. Fiercely. Fully. I see her in every act of love and strength you've shown, and I wish peace, love, and protection for all of you.' 4 Gratton was last seen leaving her Denver apartment on April 15 at around 10 p.m. Cherilynne Gratton-Camis / Facebook 4 Gratton worked as a hairstylist in Denver. Jax Gratton / Facebook Lakewood Police Department has since confirmed that a body was found on Friday. Gratton was last seen leaving her Denver apartment on April 15 at around 10 p.m., her family previously told KMGH-TV. She told her roommate that she was going to be out for about 3 hours, but she didn't return. 4 Her heartbroken mother has since paid tribute. Cherilynne Gratton-Camis / Facebook After her family reported her missing, her mother described feeling 'terrified' for her daughter. 'My fear is that somebody killed her,' Gratton-Camis told People at the time, alleging that she had previously been in abusive relationships.
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Miami Herald
15-year-old thwarts man's kidnap attempt near school, CO cops say. He's charged
A man accused of trying to kidnap a 15-year-old walking near a Colorado school has been arrested and charged, prosecutors say. Steven Houseman, 18, was charged with second-degree kidnapping and criminal attempt to commit sexual assault, Colorado's 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office said in a May 1 news release. The teenage girl was walking near Thornton Middle School the morning of April 28 when a man tried to grab her, Thornton police said in a Facebook post. When the girl resisted, the man fled, according to police. Police said they got a report about the incident at about 4 p.m. 'During the immediate investigation, officers secured video surveillance that clearly depicted the attempted abduction, providing crucial details about the suspect and a suspected vehicle associated with the suspect,' Thornton Police Commander Tom Connor told KMGH-TV. Subsequently, police put out a request for information on social media that included a photo of the suspect. The next day, police announced that Houseman had been arrested. Houseman's arrest came after 'vital information received from our alert community' helped school resource officers identify him as a suspect, Connor told KMGH-TV. 'I would like to thank the brave members of our community who, at our request, came forward with information that helped lead to the arrest of Houseman,' Interim Police Chief Greg Reeves said in the Facebook post. Houseman was taken into custody at Thornton High School on April 29, according to police. The 18-year-old is a student at the high school, according to a letter from the school's principal to families obtained by KUSA. Adams 12 Five Star Schools did not immediately respond to McClatchy News' request for comment on May 2. Police said they 'are working closely with Adams 12 Five Star Schools to ensure the safety of students and staff as the investigation continues.' Houseman is scheduled to appear in court May 2, prosecutors said. Thornton is about a 10-mile drive north from Denver.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Hairstylist, 34, Reported Missing Over 1 Week After She Was Last Seen Leaving Denver Apartment
Jax Gratton, a Denver hairstylist, has been missing for two weeks after she was last seen leaving her apartment building Her mom became alarmed when she didn't hear from her daughter on Easter "If she's out there, alive, she's going to make it through this," she said A Denver community is frantically searching for a 34-year-old woman who has been missing for two weeks, according to authorities. Jax Gratton, a beloved hairstylist, was last seen on April 15 near the 4200 block of E. Iliff Avenue, the Denver Police Department tells PEOPLE. She was reported missing on Wednesday, April 24. An investigation is ongoing. Friends and family told ABC affiliate KMGH-TV that Gratton left her apartment at approximately 10 p.m. local time after telling her roommate that she'd be out for about three hours, but never came back. A photo shared with the outlet shows Gratton wearing a jacket and carrying two bags. 'It's just, it's absolutely a mystery," the hairstylist's mom, Cherilynn Gratton-Camis, told KMGH-TV. She became worried when she didn't hear from her daughter, especially on Easter. "Jax calls me when great things happen and when bad things happen, and every single holiday,' the mom continued, according to the report. 'She has never missed a holiday." Related: After Teen Is Paralyzed from Super Rare Spinal Cord Stroke, Her Nurses Comfort Her with an Unforgettable Gesture (Exclusive) The mom told KMGH-TV that no one is aware of who Gratton was meeting or the location. Concern grew when loved ones realized Gratton didn't make plans for her cat, Madam Francesca, or take her medications or makeup, the outlet reported. 'She has had a very rough life being transgender, but she has survived and I'm so proud of her,' Gratton-Camis told The Denver Post. 'If she's out there, alive, she's going to make it through this.' Gratton's parents reached out to stylists who work at Solera Salon Suites, where Gratton rents out a space. Gratton's friend, Brandy Carey, a manager of the company's North Broadway branch, was able to access her computer and saw that Gratton had checked out her last client on Saturday, April 12, she told the paper. Related: Woman Was Buried Alive for 30 Minutes While at Work. Why She 'Never Thought' She'd Die Down There (Exclusive) Since her disappearance, the community has put up flyers featuring Gratton's picture and asking people about her whereabouts. A Facebook group entitled 'Find Jax Gratton Denver' currently has 1,800 members. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. For Carey, the response to Gratton's disappearance is 'hauntingly beautiful,' she told The Denver Post. 'I don't think any one of us, on a day-to-day basis, understands how many people care about us,' she added. Related: Police Are 'Concerned' About Well-Being of Massachusetts Teen Who Was Last Seen Walking Near Her Home In a Facebook update, Gratton-Camis said that her daughter is in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. 'We need to have a sighting of Jaxs,' her mom wrote on Monday, April 28. Gratton-Camis and Carey did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment. Gratton has red hair, blue eyes, weighs 150 lbs. and is 5'8' tall, according to the Denver Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 720-913-2000. Read the original article on People
Newsweek
26-04-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Uber Could Be Halted For Millions of Americans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Uber is threatening to cease operations in Colorado over a new bill passed by the state's House of Representatives. Why It Matters Millions of people could lose access to Uber if the company follows through on its latest threat to pull out of Colorado. The situation highlights the growing tension between lawmakers aiming to impose new protections for gig workers and companies that rely heavily on flexible business models. A man leaves the headquarters of Uber in San Francisco in this file photo taken on December 16, 2015. A man leaves the headquarters of Uber in San Francisco in this file photo taken on December 16, 2015. Eric Risberg/AP What To Know Uber warned this week that it may cease operations in Colorado entirely if a new rideshare bill becomes law. The bill, HB25-1291, passed the Colorado House of Representatives in a bipartisan 59–6 vote on April 16. It includes new requirements such as criminal background checks for drivers every six months and mandatory audio and video recording of trips. It would also prohibit drivers from offering passengers drinks and snacks. The legislation, described as aiming to "increase protections for persons engaged with transportation network companies," has since moved through the Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology and will face a full Senate vote on Friday. It was spearheaded by state Representative Jenny Willford. Willford introduced the bill into the legislature in January 2025 after she filed a lawsuit against Lyft alleging she was sexually assaulted by a man pretending to be a rideshare driver in February 2024, according to reporting from KMGH-TV. "This legislation has been very personal to me," Willford told KMGH-TV. "I decided to use my own pain and the platform that I have to hold a company that has ignored survivors for far too long accountable, and what we saw today — them announcing that they're going to leave — is them feeling that accountability for the first time in a very long time." Uber's major concerns, according to the Colorado Sun, center around new liabilities—such as drivers potentially being sued for offering passengers food or drinks—and the financial burden of reimbursing drivers for recording equipment. In a statement Wednesday, Uber said it would have "no choice" but to leave the state if the bill is signed into law. Willford called Uber threatening to leave Colorado a "cynical and disheartening move by a multi-billion dollar company to turn their back on survivors rather than implement real safety measures" in a statement posted to her Instagram account Thursday. Uber has made similar threats in the past. Notably, in 2024, Uber and Lyft warned they would leave Minneapolis after the city council passed a minimum wage increase for drivers. However, both companies ultimately remained after a statewide compromise on driver pay was reached. What People Are Saying An Uber spokesperson said in a statement to KKTV11: "HB25-1291 is a deeply flawed proposal, which if implemented could leave us no choice but [to] cease operations in Colorado. "It threatens user privacy by requiring every trip to be recorded, imposes major technical and financial burdens, and offers no clear safety benefit in return. We support real, evidence-based safety policy – not legislation that checks a box but fails to deliver. As written, this bill not only misses the mark, it risks doing more harm than good." Representative Jenny Willford said in a statement posted to her Instagram: "The bottom line is one sexual assault is too many, but for Uber, 8,900 aren't enough to take action. This is a cynical and disheartening move by a multi-billion dollar company to turn their back on survivors rather than implement real safety measures. We have worked with Uber in good faith for months and accepted many of their amendment requests - including a full rewrite of the bill. "For years, Uber has checked the box on safety, but time after time failed to deliver for victims. It's clear Uber won't stand up for safety so they can continue to maximize profits rather than address the horrible incidents that change the lives of riders and drivers forever." What Happens Next The Colorado Senate is expected to review HB25-1291 on Friday. If it passes, it would move to the governor's desk for a signature.
