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Pilot Shot in Head Still Lands With Afghan Injured

Hangs onto controls with blood in his eyes

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 8, 2010 2:37 AM CST | Updated Mar 8, 2010 6:00 AM CST

(Newser) – A British pilot shot in the head managed to land his aging helicopter full of Afghanistan war wounded in a safe zone. Lt. Ian Fortune, 28, has ferrying wounded on a Chinook chopper last month when it suddenly "shuddered," said reporter Mike Brewer, who was on board doing a special report for the Discovery Channel. Someone called "mayday, mayday" on the radio, and Fortune announced he had been shot in the face, said Brewer. "I was thinking it was the end of my days, and I was about to plummet to my death," recalled the terrified reporter.

Instead, Fortune managed to pilot the craft with 20 people on board, including at least 6 wounded and several medical personnel, to a nearby camp in Helmand Province. Fortune refused to give up the controls. "Even with blood pouring into his eyes, he would not let go," said Brewer. Fortune is recovering well from his wounds. He's declining to discuss his heroics.

Hero British pilot Lt.Ian Fortune, 28.
Hero British pilot Lt.Ian Fortune, 28.
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
zackmasson
Mar 10, 2010 3:37 PM CST
Rambo style, nice!
passinthru
Mar 9, 2010 1:54 AM CST
thats pretty amazing shit. how bad would that suck to be shot in the head...let alone be flying a goddamn aircraft!
krymsonkyng
Mar 8, 2010 5:01 PM CST
I wonder what happened to his copilot. Either way, this man deserves the medals in his future.

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