Here in Phoenix today, we had a terrible accident that occured between two television helicopters. Local Channel 3 and Channel 15 helicopters were covering a car chase below on the streets of Phoenix when they collided. The wreckage landed in Steel Indian School Park, where fortunately no one on the ground was injured.
Sadly, all four people in the choppers did not survive. Each chopper had one pilot and one camerman.
It's a sad day here in Phoenix as we all feel like these professionals are part of our families. We know their wives and children and some details about their lives (like when one of them was in the market for a new car).
Our prayers and deepest sympathies are extended to these families - both personal and professional. They will all be missed.
 |
|
|
Chandler is located just east of Phoenix, yet a world away with great real estate, upscale shopping, trendy restaurants, A+ schools & opportunities galore! Feel At Home In Chandler!
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2008 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
Calie: Yes, it was all over the news here too. Praying for the families of all lost, but I also question the need for helicopter coverage of all these car chases. Seemed to start with Simpson and has gone on ever since....needlessly.
That is terrible, sis........I will feature this so others in the group can pray for the families also.....
Calie, it was broadcast here, in New York as well. Very sad incident; blessings to all their friends and relatives.
Joan - you're absolutely right. When we lived in California, car chases seemed to be a regular event. While I understand that the police need to do everything they can to apprehend a criminal, but does it have to include such extensive media coverage - especially when it's typically of no concern to regular citizens anyways?
Thanks, Alexander. The pain of this event just rippled through our states. I'm sure our prayers are coveted by these families. (Definitely makes me want to hug my family one more time before walking out the door).
My daughter works just a few miles from the scene...she heard a boom and then another one...they immediately turned on the TV but she called me to tell me immediately...at first thought they were being attacked...it was of been a wretched experience for all close to the accident too. My heart and prayers go out to all the families and people at channels 3 and 15.
Thank you, Mary. I'm sure your prayers will definitely be felt.
If there is any piece of good news in this horrible tragedy, it is that no bystanders were injured by the falling wreckage. The location where the crash occurred is always teeming with people. It really is amazing that the number of casualties was not higher. This may be little solace for the families of the newsmen, but it is something at least.
Calie, It appears by some of your replies that this event not only affected all of us here in the Phoenix area, but nationwide too. My brother called me from the Baltimore Washington area and told me he saw it on the news there. I agree with Joan Snodgrass - some new guidelines need to be set regarding aerial coverage of car chases on the news.
Calie, Only minutes after the accident we learned of it here in the Prescott area. We had just stepped into an auto body shop and the entire office was watching the small TV there. They asked if we knew of the tragedy and we said no. They filled us in. My husband and my brother (in Tucson) both stated there objections to the news media following these types of (what have come to be) events. My brother also mentioned he had seen an internet information site which stated that this is the first time something like this has happened during one of these chases. Lets hope it is the last.
Very good point, Paul. How fortunate that in the middle of a summer's day, that this park was not completely filled with families and children playing. It's nothing short of a miracle that there were not more people injured.
Kevin - I can't help but wonder what it is going to take to get our politicians to make some kind of change? Guidelines would be more than appropriate - now that we have a fatality statistic. (sad, but true)
Yvonne - People all over the US heard the news. My brother in Pennsylvania called about it. It's a sad, sad event that truly could have been avoided. Do we really need 5 television stations covering the same car chase? What good can possibly come from it? AND, let's not forget that they are not the only ones in the air. There are police helicopters and fire/ambulance helicopters, airplanes and private pilots all flying in (almost) the same airspace at any given time.
How about if FAA or the FCC hires hires one helicopter and pilot to cover the airs for the media and then share the feed/transmission with all of the stations? How hard would that be?
If the internet can be shared by a bizillion people all at the same time, certainly technology can accommodate?
We pray that in the midst of this tragedy Our God would faithfully draw someone unto the saving knowledge of HIM as HE comforts the families and all those concerned, in the Name of Jesus, amen