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Discussion: Where were you when you found out about this tragedy?
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msheedy |
Where were you when you found out about this tragedy?
Feb 14 2008, 4:00 PM EST
It was Monday morning, I had just gotten settled in at work and was reading my daily CNN Headlines email. In the national section was a piece about a EMS helicopter crash. As I was reading it, an unusual feeling came over me and the next thing I did was try to call my friend Michael Baker. The call went to voicemail. Next I searched for other articles on the internet and found one on the Timesdaily web site that listed the crew names. That feeling got worse as I read these. Being optimistic (of the fact that Michael Baker is "relatively" common) I called the newspaper and spoke with the reporter, Bernie, who confirmed my fears that the Michael Baker involved was indeed my friend, had recently moved to the area from Traverse City, MI where he was with the USCG. The rest is history as they say. 13 out of 13 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Posted Anonymously |
1. RE: Where were you when you found out about this tragedy?
Feb 15 2008, 1:21 AM EST
My husband and I were called just before 3:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, only shortly after the accident. You see, my husband is a flight paramedic with Air Evac 16 an he was to relieve Allan on that morning. Not only that, we have been close friends with Allan and his wife Regena for a long time. Also, we were good friends with Tiffany. I am an ER nurse at Helen Keller Hospital where Tiffany and I worked side by side for years. I have also worked with Allan there at the hospital for many years.When we were called, we were told that Air Evac 16 had crashed and that there were no survivors. It seemed we were in an immediate shock. I can still here the conversation I had with the co-worker who called us that night. It plays over and over in my head. We were both hysterical. My husband threw on his flightsuit and ran out the door, heading for the base. Within minutes I recieved a call which notified me of who the crew was (At this point I was only aware that Allan was working because my husband was to relieve him that morning). Needless to say, I was devastated. It was such a hopeless feeling. I had got to know Mike several months before, but my husband had been singing his praises for the last year. I thought so much of Mike in the time I knew him. His quick sense of humor kept my husband on his toes. I am so thankful that I got to know him. It was obvious that Mike loved doing for others and he loved life. He truly was an exceptional person, as well as Tiff and Allan. I headed to the base right after my husband. I can't even begin to explain how our week went from there. The base was surrounded that morning by a deeply saddened EMS community. It was the worse week I have ever had to go through. We continue to have very difficult days. We lost 3 great people that day. I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and also Air Evac Lifeteam for their continued support. Rebecca Carson Wife of Bruce Carson,AE 16 7 out of 7 found this valuable. Do you? |
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mds79 |
2. RE: Where were you when you found out about this tragedy?
Feb 18 2008, 1:13 PM EST
I was directly under the chopper when it started down. 16 was hovering over a lost hunter with the spotlight, and we were within 50 yards of the guy. Thats when I heard a change in the pitch of the engine. My heart sank, and I immediately knew something wasn't right. I looked up to see the bird drop, but then pull back and away from us. It was then that we heard an awful racket, something that sounded like a jake-brake. The chopper then turned to the right, and took a nose dive. It was all a blur from there. I remember trying to make my way to the chopper as fast as I could, but it caught fire before I could get there. The place where we were in the forest, there was no way to bring in any fire suppression. We could only sit back and watch. What seemed like an eternity probably only lasted 3-4 seconds. I hope Allan and Tiffany didn't have time to react to know that something was wrong, but I know in my heart that Mike knew exactly what was happening. If he had not pulled back and away when he did, they would have dropped right on top of me and the others helping with the ground search. I will be forever indebt to him for that. We lost 3 of the most wonderful people on Earth that day. But I find peace in knowing they died doing what they loved. So, thats where I was when this tragedy happened. It has been a long hurtful road for me and many of my friends and co-workers. This is probably the first time I've been able to put anything down in words. Although I am not an employee of Air Evac, I feel like I am part of the family. Everyone there has always made me feel welcome. We are all brothers and sisters. God Bless You Mike, Allan, and Tiffany. I miss you all very much. Michael Smith Dispatch Supervisor Colbert County E-911/EMA 9 out of 9 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Posted Anonymously |
3. RE: Where were you when you found out about this tragedy?
Feb 20 2008, 8:48 AM EST
It was about 0300 and I was just abou to lay down. You see, I was on duty as a flight paramedic for another service not far away from AE 16. I had just returned from an aborted flight for another call due to weather. We recieved a launch request to respond to the AE 16 crash. We had to turn it down for weather and I felt helpless. I began calling my friends that work that area on the ground to try and get information and find out if what I was hearing was true. I sat up the rest of the night just wondering and wishing it was all a bad dream. I will never forget that night!!!!Chris Allen Flight Paramedic Huntsville Medflight 6 out of 6 found this valuable. Do you? |
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superemt |
4. RE: Where were you when you found out about this tragedy?
Feb 20 2008, 1:24 PM EST
My husband is the commander of the Cherokee Rescue Squad. We didn't hear the call come in for the lost hunter, but at about 3:15 my door bell rang. It was my sister. She said, there is a lost hunter at Barton and AirEvac went to help and they have crashed and Allen was on board. I didn't know who the others on board were, but me and my husband immediately threw on our clothes and headed for Barton. I have known Allen all my life and had the privilage of working with him for several years at Keller Ambulance. Once we got to the scene we learned that Tiffany was probably the nurse, and my heart sank, what will those babies do??? Someone said that another nurse might have come in for her, so we immediately started to reach that nurse. When that nurse answered her phone our worst fears were confirmed.I didn't know Mike, but from what I hear he was a wonderful person. He, in his last actions, became a hero to me. Had it not been for him, we would have had to bury a lot more friends and one of my family members. Such a sad day that will forever be remembered, and that's where I was. Jennifer Rutland EMT II /Captain - Cherokee Rescue Squad 8 out of 8 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Posted Anonymously |
5. RE: Where were you when you found out about this tragedy?
Feb 26 2008, 2:37 PM EST
I am a Communications Specialist for Air Evac and live in West Plains, MO. On December 31 I was on my way home from St. Louis at about 10 am. The news was being broadcast on the radio and a short report about a helicopter crash caught my attention since we have several aircraft in Alabama. I immeadiately called my Comm Center and asked if it was ours. My suspicions were confirmed. I mainly work with the crews in Texas, but I have filled in several times for the Alabama region. He probably wouldn't remember, but I met Alan briefly while he was here one day. The next 3 hours on the road were spent with the radio off and me thinking about the 3 lost lives and how I'd had such a good time at a family party the night before only to learn 3 coworkers had died. It was a mental and emotional dilemma. My heart goes out to all of the family members of the three heroes that will live forever in our memories.Eric S. Smith Communication Specialt II Air Evac Lifeteam 6 out of 6 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Posted Anonymously |
6. RE: Where were you when you found out about this tragedy?
Mar 16 2008, 6:30 PM EDT
I am the wife of an Air Evac Flight Paramedic with Base 72 in Chatsworth, GA. My husband was working the night of this tragic accident and came in that morning with a very heavy heart. He could barely tell me what had happened. Air Evac Lifeteam crew members are all a very tight family even states away from each other. This tragedy really hits home for me because I never know when his last flight may be, only God does. May God be with the families of these crew members lost on AE 16.
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Posted Anonymously |
7. RE: Where were you when you found out about this tragedy?
Mar 20 2008, 7:24 PM EDT
I received a call @ 3:15 am, from another coordinator, saying we had a helicopter down in North Alabama, AE16, and there were no survivors. My heart fell, a feeling of utter helplessness/hopelessness consumed me. I told my friend I would pick her up in 15 minutes, be ready, we were going to the base. IF all I that could do was be to there for the flight crew and the fellow coordinator that was assigned to that base, then I could do something. We arrived at the base @3:45 and a few of the crew members had arrived. The sorrow, agony, and pain were so profound on their faces it was staggering. I knew the pain and sorrow that I was suffering was insignificant (I had only worked with this base on PR’s since August), nothing compared to the time and experiences shared by the crew members assigned to the base. My only comfort can be found in knowing Mike, Tiffany and Allan were doing what they believed in and their family’s reassurances that their loved one would want us to go ahead with our mission of saving lives. That by continuing our mission, we would be honoring Mike, Tiffany and Allan. . I will never forget that call or that day! Mike, Tiffany and Allan will always be remembered……………….. Denise Mann Membership Coordinator AE15 4 out of 4 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Posted Anonymously |
8. RE: Where were you when you found out about this tragedy?
Mar 21 2008, 12:16 AM EDT
Heard about it from fellow crew members in my Police Helo organization. Don't know where I was at or what I was doing but my heart was broken. My prayers go out to the famalies.
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Posted Anonymously |
9. RE: Where were you when you found out about this tragedy?
Mar 31 2008, 1:28 AM EDT
It was early in the morning when my phone started ringing. I dont know how many calls i missed but eventually I woke up and listened to the voice mails I had. The first one is the only one I can remember and it was one of the medics from the base. All he could say was Allan, Tiffany, and Mike had gotten into a helicopter accident and there wasn't any survivors. Having worked with Allan and Tiffany for over a year there at the Shoals it litterally shook me to my soul. To me it was incomprehensible that something like this has happened. Tiffany the one that would get onto me for not acting right and then smile real big and give you a hug when you walked through the door. Allan and his midnight run to pick me up from the Waffle House after a long night. These people along with everyone at 16 were my family in Alabama. I realized that I had lost 3 very important people. The rest of the week was a daze and at times i still feel myself wanting to call them at the base. The world lost so much more than they will ever know. The countless lives they had touched and changed over there careers. I miss you guys, and I will always remember.
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