An 82-year-old woman who was on the Air Canada plane that crashed in Halifax last March says she still experiences the physical and mental effects of the incident.
Ruth Macumber was one of 133 passengers on the flight that crashed landed during heavy snow and poor visibility.
She was sitting along the aisle near the back of the plane.
“Everyone got out and they were alive,” said Macumber. “They were lucky, more than lucky, because it was no easy landing.”
Macumber suffered a broken arm, a bruised nose, and was bloodied from the impact. She was carried off the plane by another passenger, and like everyone else, forced into the cold.
“I remember the snow hitting us in the eyes and we were trying to walk and the snow was just blinding us,” she said.
Among the passengers, Ruth was last to be released from hospital – more than two months after the crash.
Some walked away with minor injuries. Others say they're experiencing mental trauma or a combination of both.
Many are seeking compensation as a result.
Jamie MacGillivray is representing 30 of the passengers, including Ruth. He's filed individual claims instead of proceeding with a class action lawsuit.
“The key concern for us is which route is quicker, less costly and still brings a fair result,” said MacGillivray.
Federal investigators have said there were no mechanical problems with the plane. A final report has yet to be released.
Macumber says her arm is slowly healing, but says she's lost some independence.
“I hope they give everybody a fair share from all the drama.”
Ruth is working with her doctors and a physiotherapist, but isn't sure how much strength she'll regain in her arm.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelland Sundahl.
