Kansas native supposed to be on flight 5342, overwhelmed with emotions

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A Kansas native, Amanda Cormack, is dealing with many emotions after avoiding this tragedy. She was scheduled to be on flight 5342. KSN spoke with her, still shaken from the news.

Still shocked, Cormack says she is beyond grateful to be alive. She says a last-minute decision saved her life.

Cormack grew up in Salina, and just last October, she moved to the West Virginia area with her husband. She visited Kansas for her nephew’s birthday and has been here for eight days. She flew into ICT directly from DCA on January 23.

She was scheduled to be on the flight Wednesday. However, because she is starting a new job in February, her husband encouraged her to extend her stay in Salina with her family. Cormack says he ended up re-scheduling it for the next day.

Cormack has been overwhelmed with emotions since Wednesday.

“I’m still processing it. I think it’s going to take a while. I’m grateful and thankful for all of the decisions that were made that led to the decision to stay here longer,” said Cormack.

Talking about those who lost someone on the flight, Cormack added, “I don’t even know what to say. I’m devastated for them. I can’t tell you how many times I have thought about my own family and the shoes that they’re in, and it just hurts.”

She says many people have been reaching out to her and that she is grateful for all the support and love she has received.

Cormack also says that she is ready to go home, hug her husband, and be with him, but she doesn’t know when she will return as she still feels overwhelmed. She also said her heart goes out to every life lost and every family member and friend affected.