After a light aircraft experienced engine failure and crash-landed upside down just minutes following take-off, two-time Olympic champion David Rudisha survived a plane crash in Kenya.
On Saturday, December 10, the 800 meters world record holder was one of the five passengers on board the aircraft that took off from Kimana.
The 33-year-old recalled the moment when the aircraft’s engine ceased functioning about eight minutes into the flight, leading the pilot to initiate an emergency landing.
Rudisha recounted, “All was well close to seven or eight minutes into the flight when the engine of the plane suddenly went quiet.”
“He [the pilot] saw some clear space where he tried to land the plane but one of its wings hit a tree as the plane started to spin before landing on the rocky field,” he added.
Thankfully, all passengers survived with minor injuries and were discharged following treatment, except for one.
“It was a scary episode where you hold your heart in your hand as you pray to God. The pilot did an incredible job to keep the plane afloat and stable for long,” Rudisha expressed.
The Big Life Foundation, a conservation organization, confirmed that an investigation would commence post the crash.
“As is normal following any crash involving an aircraft, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority will investigate,” a statement read. “Until they have completed their report, it is not appropriate to comment further.”
“The best wishes of Big Life and all involved in the Maasai Olympics are with the injured passenger for a speedy recovery,” the statement concluded.
Notably, this is not the first time Rudisha has narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation. In 2019, he survived a car crash with minor injuries when his SUV collided with a bus after one of the tires burst.
Having not competed internationally for five years, Rudisha’s most recent incident adds another remarkable survival story to his life.
