- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
Comments (7)
Print
Save/Share
On December 29, 2000, then 39-years old Bynum, a former Clemson basketball star, caught British Airways's Flight 2069 from London's Gatwick Airport to Nairobi, Kenya. He had missed a direct flight to Uganda because of winter weather delays in London and was on the flight by happenstance. He was heading for a two-week Christian mission trip in Uganda, where he would be speaking to Sudanese refugees.
During the flight, a young mentally ill passenger burst into the cockpit and attempted to seize control of the plane. The autopilot was disengaged, and the plane nosedived about 16,000 feet.
Clarke heard screams coming from the cockpit. He ran forward. With the help of another passenger and the flight crew, he restrained the man. All 398 passengers were saved.
Clarke is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn, and four children. Services are being held today in Sumter, S.C. He was 47.
[Thanks for the reminder from Online Travel Review, Jared Blank's blog]
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
What a wonderful man -- thank you for sharing this inspiring story. Love and blessings to his family.
Namaste.
Posted By Linda on September 10, 2007, 3:07 PM
Thank you for sharing this man's awesome story. May God bless his mourning family & friends with memories of happy times.
Posted By judie on September 10, 2007, 6:43 PM
This man has truly "earned" his reward in heaven. May God bring blessed comfort to his loving family .
Sounda like this man has been an angel for many years.
God bless you all.
Posted By Bonnie on September 10, 2007, 9:16 PM
Thanks for sharing a story of how one person really can make a difference.
Posted By Mike on September 10, 2007, 11:16 PM
Thank you so much for posting this true story of bravery in travel. Blessings to his family and his memory.
Posted By AK on September 10, 2007, 11:40 PM
Thank you for sharing a miracle that is one of many stories that are not sensational enough for the Associated Press but so important to those passengers and their families. He was a true Missionary placed by God.
Posted By Ena on September 11, 2007, 4:45 PM
Beautiful! To live is Christ to die is gain. He is now gaining after helping so many to live
Posted By Evelyn on September 13, 2007, 4:27 PM