Northwest Flight 253 passenger Jasper Schuringa might have prevented the worst when he tackled Umar Farouk Abdul Matallab stopping him from further igniting a small exploding device that he has between his legs inside the plane with 278 passengers and 11 crew members (read more details) on Christmas Day (December 25).

Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab PHOTOS: Northwest Flight 253 Terrorist Attack

Jasper, a Dutch “Go With The Flow” Productions, video director, claims the passengers heard a loud popping sound. “Everybody got a little bit startled,” he said. “After a few seconds or so … there was … kind of a flamish light and there was fire” and people around the immediate area began to panic. Then they saw fire and Jasper looked closer to see a burning object between the suspect’s legs. “I pulled the object from him and tried to extinguish the fire with my hands and threw it away,” Jasper said.

Jasper claims Umar was unresponsive: “He was staring into nothing.” The passenger pulled the alleged terrorist out of his chair and dragged in on the floor. The fire was extinguished and Umar was handcuffed while Jasper was applauded by other passengers for his braveness when he returned to his seat. “My hands are pretty burned. I am fine,” Jasper said. “I am shaken up. I am happy to be here.”