'I'm glad to be alive'

Photo: Facebook

Sandra Penner says the next time she has to travel, she will drive.

The Vernon resident was on a flight from Calgary to Kelowna yesterday that was struck by lightning, terrifying passengers and making headlines across the country.

Penner was returning home from Calgary where she had celebrated her 94-year-old aunt's birthday when the Westjet plane she was on was slammed by a bolt of electricity.

Penner said she questioned if the plane should have taken flight at all based on how stormy the skies were.

She said before the lightning struck, the plane was “rocking and that was scary in itself. I am not used to flying, so that was a bit of an adventure. It is a trip I won't forget.

“I'm glad to be alive. It was quite nerve wracking especially when these particles flew onto our laps. To me it looked like glass. So the thought goes through your mind the window is coming out. I thought 'We're doomed'.”

Penner was certain the material that landed on her and those seated nearby was glass.

“My finger was burning so I am sure it had to be glass. It must have shattered something in there. The windows are very thick, but if that window had of blown out, we wouldn't be here.”

Penner said the sound of the lightning striking the plane was horrifying.

“It was loud. I thought it was a bomb actually,” she said. “When it hit, there was a big bright light. It was so loud and everyone screamed all at once.”

The flight had been airborne for about 15 minutes when it was struck. It returned to Calgary and several hours later, Penner was on another plane bound for Kelowna.

“I was pretty nervous getting on that second plane,” she said. “I'm sure everyone else was as well. I think I'll drive next time.”