Florida LODD

[DOC22 1]

Hey...

A medivac helicopter crashed into a bay in Florida this morning, killing all three crew members-one being a firefighter-medic. The helicopter left Santa Rosa Beach bound for DeFuniak Springs, about 25 miles away, to transfer a critically ill heart patient to a Pensacola hospital. No patients were aboard when it crashed. The crew members included the pilot, a Sacred Heart nurse and the a department paramedic. Their identities have not yet been released. Officials said the crew radioed minutes after departure that they were aborting the mission because of bad weather and were heading back to the hangar at Santa Rosa Beach. There was no distress call and no further communication with the helicopter. For additional updates, check out www.Firehouse.com.

As always, our heartfelt thoughts go out to all involved.

Take Care,

BillyG

The Secret List 10-20-04

www.FirefighterCloseCalls.co

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Thoughts and Prayers to friends and families of those involved.

[DOC22 1]

Below is an update from firefighterclosecalls.com...

The Firefighter killed in yesterdays helicopter crash has been identified. The following information is courtesy of the IAFF. Also-be sure to check out our News/Updates section on our home page. An issue has arisen regarding the role of the communications center and the dispatchers in tracking the status of this medivac helicopter-driving home the critical responsibility that fire dispatchers have.

It is with deepest regret and sorrow to have to report to you the line-of-duty death of Fire Fighter/Flight Medic Robert Heighton of IAFF Local 3516-South Walton, Florida. It is presumed that Brother Heighton died late last night/early this morning when the helicopter he was in went down while responding to an incident. The bodies of the pilot and nurse that were aboard have been recovered, but efforts (at time of publication) are still underway to recover Brother Heighton's body.

Our deepest sadness go out to the family of Fire-Medic Robert Heighton and the members of the South Walton FD.

Take Care,

BillyG

The Secret List 10-21-04