Des Plaines priest who survived plane crash returns home

CHICAGO (Fox 32 News) - A Chicago-area priest who survived a jet plane crash in Mexico returned home on Saturday.

Father Esequiel Sanchez, Rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe was on an Aeromexico flight that crashed shortly after takeoff in Durango. He and 84 other people were hurt, but everyone survived.

A big crowd awaited Father Sanchez on Saturday at O'Hare International Airport.

"The entire experience was terrorizing," he said. "It was horrible. We shouldn't be here. That's why they called it the miracle flight."

Sanchez was with about a dozen friends on the flight, celebrating his 50th birthday. After the crash, he and others jumped in to help.

"I can still walk," he said. "I can still pull."

Sanchez had to stay in Mexico to undergo surgery, and he still needs more procedures in Chicago. But he is eager to get back into the pulpit in Des Plaines.

He had this to say about getting back on a plane:

"I walked up to the crew, and I said, 'Second time's a charm -- see if we get it right this time.'"