Chesney Hawkes, the renowned singer famous for his hit “The One and Only,” found himself in a harrowing situation when the plane he was on suddenly plummeted 20,000ft. The 51-year-old musician, accompanied by his wife and 156 other passengers, was onboard an Aegean Airlines Airbus A320 travelling from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Barcelona on Monday.
According to Aviation Source News, the flight was declared a general emergency as it crossed over Italy during its journey to Spain. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Naples International Airport due to the unspecified nature of the emergency.
Passengers aboard the plane experienced a wave of fear as oxygen masks deployed without warning. Chesney Hawkes shared his account of the incident with The Sun, describing the panic that ensued.
“We thought we were going down. Our ears hurt and babies were crying. The pilot came over the loudspeaker and said ’emergency descent – brace,'” Hawkes revealed. “One of the stewardesses was in a fetal position on the floor trying to get a mask on while also trying to talk to us over the intercom.”
The terrifying descent was accompanied by the rattling of the plane, which banked sharply enough for passengers to catch a glimpse of the sea. Hawkes and his wife exchanged a poignant look and embraced, convinced that they were about to crash into the water.
In a desperate attempt to reach out to their loved ones, the couple sent tearful voice messages via their family WhatsApp group, expressing their love and pride in their children. The uncertainty surrounding the situation heightened the emotional tension onboard as crew members and passengers alike grappled with fear.
Eventually, the plane’s descent slowed, and the rattling ceased, offering a glimmer of relief. The aircraft made an emergency landing, causing passengers to brace themselves for impact. Hawkes described the landing as bumpy but ultimately safe.
Upon touching down, a wave of jubilation swept through the passengers, who cheered loudly in celebration of their survival. Hawkes expressed his gratitude on Twitter, commending the pilot for skillfully navigating the emergency situation.
“All the crew were great, even the stewardess who had a moment,” he tweeted, sharing a photo of himself with the pilot. “Thank you to all that kept their heads cool, especially #captainfantastic for landing our plane safely today. This was not what we expected today, but it’s made us appreciate life and those we love just that little bit more.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the importance of trained professionals who can navigate emergency situations with composure and expertise.
As investigations continue to determine the cause of the emergency, Chesney Hawkes and the other passengers will undoubtedly carry the memory of this frightening experience with them, cherishing their lives and loved ones even more deeply.
