Just getting word that we have a chopper crash North of Houston. Reports say that it could be KTRK helio. There was breaking news happening in Montgomery county that most of the choppers were flying on. By looking at the scene on tv right now, not much left of the chopper. Sad news in Houston today.
KTRK Chopper Crash
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shootercub
Well-known member
God bless their families in this horrible tragedy.
So very sad.
So very sad.
NoozShootah
Member
This is happening too often. The families of the pilot and photog will be in my prayers.
DenverPhotog
Member
Authorities have confirmed the victims as pilot John Downhower and photographer Dave Garrett. KTRK-TV contracts with Metro Traffic for use of the helicopter.
Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone at KTRK, Metro Traffic and those that were lost families.
Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone at KTRK, Metro Traffic and those that were lost families.
phxtvwatcher
Active member
We've gone through this in Phoenix with the mid-air crash of two station choppers and all I can say is this sucks. We were watching the coverage this morning from our cafe that bears the names of our two fallen co-workers. It was so surreal to see this happen again just a little over a year after we lost 4 great journalist. We are so sad to know that this has happened again. Everyone in Houston is in our thoughts tonight.
Last few seconds.
I'm sick of seeng "the last few seconds," of this crash all over the place. Imagine the families who have to go through this and then sit there and watch the last few seconds. Completely disrespectful of the families and you would think television stations who have choppers would use their discretion and do the story without that footage. Makes me sick to my stomach.
I'm sick of seeng "the last few seconds," of this crash all over the place. Imagine the families who have to go through this and then sit there and watch the last few seconds. Completely disrespectful of the families and you would think television stations who have choppers would use their discretion and do the story without that footage. Makes me sick to my stomach.
I for one want to see the last few seconds. Not out of a morbid curiosity, for the last two years, I have flown practically everyday in the same type of helicopter (Bell Jet ranger) also leased thru Heli Inc and I want to know what happened.
I know that every time I load into our helicopter, I'm taking a risk. I've been at four other media aircraft incidents. But I still volunteer to fly. Our pilot is top notch and the maintenance on our Jet Ranger is outstanding.
My heart goes out to the friends and families of the crew.
Dave Goldschlag
Wesh 2 Photojournalist
42nd Aviation NYARNG Medic (former)
I know that every time I load into our helicopter, I'm taking a risk. I've been at four other media aircraft incidents. But I still volunteer to fly. Our pilot is top notch and the maintenance on our Jet Ranger is outstanding.
My heart goes out to the friends and families of the crew.
Dave Goldschlag
Wesh 2 Photojournalist
42nd Aviation NYARNG Medic (former)
matchframe
Member
Rest in Peace Dave
Lensmith
Member
I respectfully disagree.
We see the last few seconds of many tragedies. I'm thinking of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis caught on a security cam. Are you saying that should not have been shown?
Just because this happened to people covering the news does not mean they somehow need to be protected. Seeing those last few seconds...even though there wasn't much to see...is still newsworthy. There were no screams. There were no faces. Just the skids of the helicopter.
It is a sad story and should be a lesson to all to never take for granted the safety of using, or flying in a helicopter for news coverage. No one was forced to do that job. The weather was not bad. This was, as far as we know right not, an accident and...accidents happen.
We should move forward with more respect for those that cover news in this manner and work to always make this form of news coverage as safe as possible...always acknowledging it, like many jobs, is never 100% safe.
I spent 10 years contracting with KTRK as the only NABET shooter in the news room. Lets hope they do the right thing and take care of the family. They don't exactly have a good reputation with these things. I remember loosing Stephen Gauvain.
These kinds of losses are beyond words, I am sad.
These kinds of losses are beyond words, I am sad.
matchframe
Member
Just like a wreck on the freeway, you can't help but look. When I first saw the footage of the chopper going down, I was facinated, but since I knew the shooter that died, it put the whole thing into perspective. I am not against showing the footage, but it is like seeing the wreck on the freeway, or seeing a wreck on the freeway of someone you know. It changes they whole way it looks.
Land Rover
Well-known member
I just learned about it today. My heart goes out to eveyone involved.
Another sad day
First, my thoughts, prayers and empathy go out to the families, friends and co-workers of these guys. September 11th of last year I lost my best friend in a helicopter crash near Sarasota Florida, so I have a pretty good idea what emotions these folks are dealing with and it ain't much fun.
Yesterday, I was walking down the street toting my camera when the producer I was with said, "My husband just texted me that the ABC station in Houston just had a helicopter crash." The camera I was carrying belonged to my buddy - I have it because he died, 13 months ago, in a helicopter crash. That made things real pretty quick.
I haven't seen the footage of this crash, but if I was involved, I would want to see it. Mark, my friend who died would have wanted to see it. His dad called me the morning after his accident to tell me that there was video of the 3 people on his ill-fated helicopter being transported to the ambulance - He was glad to see that and wanted me to know it was there. If there was video of his crash, I would go over it frame by frame - what happened?!? I've read every article I can find, watched every video clip and press conference and I know that Mark's family has too, so I don't think showing the crash is disrespectful at all - they want answers. While the video my not help much - it's another piece of the puzzle. If they are too sensitive to it, my guess is they know where the power button is. My station ran this VO when Mark died:
http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/national/video/1803837/
I cry every time I see it. I have tears in my eyes right now. Should they not have done that story because it makes friends and family emotional? No they went with the information they had - in this case pictures of our friend.
I know I'm rambling and Lenslinger hasn't written a blog like this for me to steal, but long story short: it hurts to lose a friend, and I want all the information I can get about the accident so maybe we can learn how to prevent it from happening again. It's not going to bring anybody back, but being in news, dissecting all of the information is one way I cope. Everybody's different. I miss Mark a bunch, and I'm sure there are folks in TX that are starting down the hard road of loss. Remember them fondly. God bless. - John
First, my thoughts, prayers and empathy go out to the families, friends and co-workers of these guys. September 11th of last year I lost my best friend in a helicopter crash near Sarasota Florida, so I have a pretty good idea what emotions these folks are dealing with and it ain't much fun.
Yesterday, I was walking down the street toting my camera when the producer I was with said, "My husband just texted me that the ABC station in Houston just had a helicopter crash." The camera I was carrying belonged to my buddy - I have it because he died, 13 months ago, in a helicopter crash. That made things real pretty quick.
I haven't seen the footage of this crash, but if I was involved, I would want to see it. Mark, my friend who died would have wanted to see it. His dad called me the morning after his accident to tell me that there was video of the 3 people on his ill-fated helicopter being transported to the ambulance - He was glad to see that and wanted me to know it was there. If there was video of his crash, I would go over it frame by frame - what happened?!? I've read every article I can find, watched every video clip and press conference and I know that Mark's family has too, so I don't think showing the crash is disrespectful at all - they want answers. While the video my not help much - it's another piece of the puzzle. If they are too sensitive to it, my guess is they know where the power button is. My station ran this VO when Mark died:
http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/national/video/1803837/
I cry every time I see it. I have tears in my eyes right now. Should they not have done that story because it makes friends and family emotional? No they went with the information they had - in this case pictures of our friend.
I know I'm rambling and Lenslinger hasn't written a blog like this for me to steal, but long story short: it hurts to lose a friend, and I want all the information I can get about the accident so maybe we can learn how to prevent it from happening again. It's not going to bring anybody back, but being in news, dissecting all of the information is one way I cope. Everybody's different. I miss Mark a bunch, and I'm sure there are folks in TX that are starting down the hard road of loss. Remember them fondly. God bless. - John
I didn't know Dave or the pilot... But, my heart goes out to all involved. I too, have lost a good friend. Car accident, and it still hurts to think about him.
But, I think the video of the chopper crash is relevant. Although, I think it wouldv'e been very difficult for the photog who shot the crash as they probably knew eachother.
But, I think the video of the chopper crash is relevant. Although, I think it wouldv'e been very difficult for the photog who shot the crash as they probably knew eachother.