Beginning, Not an End—small notes on the crash
There is so much to be said. There is so much to be written about regarding the crash of our Sikorsky S-76-A which took place on May 29, 2008.
I am so grateful for the emails, comments, phone calls, and well wishes. We were lucky. Very Lucky.
Not writing here has been difficult. I truly hope to be able to share more of my thoughts and feelings soon.
Instead, with this post, I want to share with you photos of my last flights in the “A.”
Brad turning final over
Muskegon at sunset
So many of our flights involve sunrises and sunsets. I’ve mentioned how lucky I am that I have such an incredible view out of my window. This flight was no exception.
As we land, many times we have an audience. This isn’t a great photo due to the lighting, but if you look closely (and click on the larger version), you can see the staff at the sending hospital watching us land on their pad.
We do a lot of dangerous and important things as a flight team. We also take every minute we can to tease, laugh, and laugh some more. This night, Brad and I were on duty with our flight physician Hartley. Not much keeps us from our Dove ice cream bars.
I scream, you scream…that’s right!
(l-r) Hartley, Me, Brad
The day before the crash, I was talking to Shirley, our administrative queen, and the corporation’s unofficial mom, about how I love being at work, because it is like being at home. We bicker and pick like any family, but when things are truly bad, we pull together like we are blood. We are that close.
Little did I know how that would be put to the test just 24 hours later.
Although I will miss flying in the “A” I believe this near tragedy is a beginning instead of an end. The fact that we were prepared as an EMS corporation and a hospital system to deal with the unspeakable, speaks volumes for the place that I call my second home.
Sunset on the roof with the “A”
22 May 2008
I’m so glad the only goodbyes are to some of the metal and engineering that allows me to do my job.
Equipment can be replaced.
I’m glad I found my EMS home.
Note: the above link to the local news coverage is just that—the news. Take it for what it is worth. Here is the link to the NTSB Preliminary Report.
You’re absolutely right.
Equipment can be replaced.
Thank GOD everyone is okay.
I noticed the pin on your shoulder in the pic with Hartley & Brad….
I noticed the pin on your shoulder in the pic with Hartley & Brad….
Okay….I don’t complain about too many things but Dove bars at the hospital……And you don’t even bring me back one?!?!?! Wheres the love? Wheres the love? hahaha just giving ya a hard time….
Okay….I don’t complain about too many things but Dove bars at the hospital……And you don’t even bring me back one?!?!?! Wheres the love? Wheres the love? hahaha just giving ya a hard time….
Mikey, I will bring you back anything you want!!!! *smooch*
Mikey, I will bring you back anything you want!!!! *smooch*
So that Hartley, interesting name, anyway is he taken because he’s a looker, like GQ style.
So that Hartley, interesting name, anyway is he taken because he’s a looker, like GQ style.
@Tony—-will pass it on…..but yeah, he is married. Sorry to disappoint!
@Tony—-will pass it on…..but yeah, he is married. Sorry to disappoint!
Hay I remember reading about this and asking if you were involved? must be true no news is good news EH?
Hay I remember reading about this and asking if you were involved? must be true no news is good news EH?