iPhone Savior: iPhone User Twitters Details of Denver Crash From Outside Burning Plane

"Holy f--king sh-t - I was just in a plane crash!” - first Twitter post by Mike Wilson

UPDATED: Passenger Mike Wilson of Denver was sitting on Continental Airline’s flight 737 in route to Houston, Texas Saturday evening when the plane skidded off the runway at Denver International Airport immediately catching fire after crashing into a ravine. At least 38 passengers were taken to hospitals though there were no fatalities after the 110 passengers and five crew members evacuated on the plane's emergency slides according to reports.

Sometime after Wilson cleared the plane he quickly enlisted his iPhone describing his chaotic scramble to exit the burning plane with messages to his followers on Twitter.com posting under the name 2drinksbehind. His first twitterific message read:

"Holy f--king s--t - I was just in a plane crash!” - 5:25 PM Dec 20th from twitterrific

Wilson unwittingly captured media headlines around the globe, making history as the first citizen journalist posting live to Twitter from the scene of a plane crash. Wilson snapped a photo of the wreckage once outside the plane even though he admitted it was difficult to make out any detail. Even so, that photo has received well over 39,000 views at the time of this post. Wilson's earliest Twitter messages read:

"Ugh ... My glasses fell off in the mass exodus getting off the plane. Can't see very well." - 5:57 PM Dec 20th from twitterrific

"This was crash #2 for me. Maybe I should start taking the bus." - 5:58 PM Dec 20th from twitterrific

Wlison's Twitter posts started up again almost two and a half hours later when his focus turned towards Continental hospitality in the lounge, apparently realizing that his ordeal was nothing a Vodka-tonic couldn't cure.

"Continental keeping us locked up at the presidents club until they can sort everything out. Won't even serve us drinks." Wilson Tweeted - 8:21 PM Dec 20th from twitterrific

You have your wits scared out of you, drag your butt out of a flaming ball of wreckage and you can't even get a vodka-tonic. Boo. - 8:22 PM Dec 20th from twitterrific

One of Wilson's messages said that he could feel the heat from the fire while he was still on the plane. “By the time the plane stopped we were burning pretty well and I think I could feel the heat even through the bulkhead and window,” Wilson Tweeted. - 11:31 PM Dec 20th from web

“Whoever was on the left side exit row, God bless him, was Johnny on the spot and instantly had the door open - people crowded out in a mass. I made for the exit door as quickly as I could, fearing the right wing might explode from the fire. Once out, I scrambled down the wing." Wilson recounted in a later message.

Wilson eventually signed off for the night with one final message ; "Going to bed. Today was exhausting. More interviews tomorrow." He properly thanked other Twitter users for their concern and support during his harrowing ordeal. "I'm very grateful to still be here.... I'm amazed and humbled by it all," said Wilson before signing off.

We're hoping to get a photo of Wilson with his trusted iPhone in hand though that may well be wishful thinking now that Mike Wilson has become a micro-celebrity overnight. Maybe he'll Twitter his followers from back stage sitting in Oprah's green room. Or will he?

Continental issued a statement saying it was collecting information about the accident. It is still not known what caused the accident on the Boeing 737.

CORRECTION: We may have misspoken in reporting earlier about the timing of the Twitter messages by Mike Wilson. It appears that the messages began once Wilson was clear of the plane not while inside. We apologize for any misinformation. Mike Wilson deserves the utmost respect for his actions and bravery.

[2drinksbehind]

Comments

He was comforted, knowing that he could blend in so easily.

Posted by: Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2010 | January 20, 2011 at 05:11 PM

I love this guy! No matter what he did something brave and useful. It takes courage to tweet under tremendous pressure and while still in shock. Go Mike!

Posted by: AdamK | December 22, 2008 at 02:32 PM

You idiots. 2Drinksbehind's own accounts says he didn't send his first twitter until he was out of the plane, clear of the area. Don't be so quick to judge.

Posted by: Rick Freeman | December 22, 2008 at 02:16 PM