Survivor talks about tragic experience

CLARENCE, N. Y. (WIVB) - The only two survivors of the horrific tragedy were on the ground.

Karen Wielinski and her daughter Jill managed to escape from their burning home, however Doug Wielinski did not.

Saturday morning, Karen Wielinski , and the tragic death of her husband.

"And happened to notice a little light on the right of me." (WBEN 930)

That tiny bit of light was Karen Wielinski's ray of hope. She had survived the impact of the plane striking her Long Street home in Clarence Center.

Karen told WBEN radio how she got out, "And pushed off what was on me and crawled out the hole."

Karen's 22-year-old daughter Jill was upstairs in the front of the house when the plane hit. She too miraculously, survived and found an opening.

"When I got here of course she wanted to know where Doug was. I didn't know."

"To me it looked like the plane came down in the middle of the house, and unfortunately that's where Doug was."

Karen's husband, 61-year-old Doug Wielinski did not make it out.

Karen says Doug was in the dining room working on his beloved sports memorabilia.
The Wielinskis are well-known in the Clarence School District where Karen is a secretary.

Doug was an engineer and Vietnam veteran.

Superintendent of Schools Doctor Thomas Coseo said, "He frequently came to school to do lectures on Vietnam. The students were always enthralled to hear lectures. Just a vibrant, good person."

The Clarence Community and Schools Federal Credit Union has established a fund for the Wielinski family.

You can make donations at the credit union office at 9145 Sheridan Drive in Clarence, or mail them to P.O. 657, Clarence, NY 14031.