Last week, British news outlets reported that an American aircraft had crashed in the English countryside, resulting in the death of U.S. Marine pilot Maj. Taj Sareen. Even as his jet plummeted to the ground, Sareen refused to eject from his failing jet because he wanted to steer it away from civilian neighborhoods.

Sareen was returning home from a six-month deployment in the Middle East, where he had participated in Operation Inherent Resolve and conducted airstrikes against ISIS. On his way back, he and five other F-18s transferred from Bahrain to RAF Lakenheath in the UK, where they were to rest up before continuing to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California. Shortly after taking off from RAF Lakenheath, something went wrong in Sareen’s cockpit and sent the jet spiraling.

It’s still unclear why Sareen’s jet crashed, but witnesses who saw it happen say that the Marine used his final moments to direct the Hornet away from houses and neighborhoods.

“I think that he could have ejected earlier, but was trying to avoid the houses and for that we are incredibly grateful,” said Karen Miles-Holdaway, who saw Sareen swerve the Hornet away from her community.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and fellow Marines of Maj. Sareen, and we are currently providing support to those affected by this tragic incident,” said Maj. Gen. Michael A. Rocco in the Marine Corps’ official statement.