Bank executive and mother of two Jennifer Riordan was flying home with Southwest Airlines on a routine business trip to New York when the unthinkable happened.
An engine on the Boeing 737-700 on which the 43-year-old was flying was shredded by an the failure of least one component. Shrapnel from the disintegrating engine shattered the window next to her.
Witnesses said the sudden, explosive decompression meant she was partially sucked through the window and was stuck for some time before two men were able to haul her back in.
Read: Fan blade missing from Southwest engine involved in shocking passenger death.
A nurse answering a call for help administered CPR but she was critically injured and later died.
Her shocking and unexpected death — she was the first passenger killed on a US airline since 2009 — has prompted a wave of sympathy across the US.
The chances of such a freak accident are astronomically low and there were significantly higher odds of the well-liked executive being struck by lightning.
US media reported Riordan was well-known in New Mexico, where she was vice president of community relations with Wells Fargo Bank.
Married to the City of Albuquerque's former chief operating officer, Michael Riordan, for more than two decades, she was the mother of two children, Averie and Joshua.
Her two-decade career had included work in marketing for the state’s hospital system and in public relations for Citi Group.
She joined Wells Fargo in 2008 and was responsible for reputation management, volunteerism and community involvement in New Mexico and greater Texas, according to a United Way of Central New Mexico profile.
She served on a number of committees and was a commissioner for New Mexico Office of Volunteer Engagement and on the board of trustees for the New Mexico Natural History and Science Museum.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said on Twitter that the city had lost “a thoughtful leader who has long been part of the fabric of our community”.
“This is a tremendous and tragic loss for Jennifer’s family and many others throughout our city,’’ Keller said. “Her leadership and philanthropic efforts made this a better place every day and she will be terribly missed.”
A statement from her family, also posted on twitter, said: “Jennifer’s vibrancy, passion and love infused our community and reached across our country.
“Her impact on everything and everyone she touched can never be fully measured.
“But foremost, she is the bedrock of our family. She and Mike wrote a love story unlike any other. Her beauty and love is evident through her children.”
United Way, where Riordan was a long-serving member of the organization’s Mission: Graduate Vision Council, said she “cheerfully championed so many causes in our region and was a real force for good”.
Wells Fargo said it was saddened by the news and described Riordan as a well-known leader who was loved and respected.
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