Former Life Flight Patients Remember Heroes Who Saved Them

Former Life Flight Patients Remember Heroes Who Saved Them


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News Specialist Ed Yeates reportingFamily, friends, and co-workers aren't alone in mourning the two heroes who died in a Life Flight helicopter crash.

Today, people they saved remember them.

Federal investigators today continue probing the crash of that Life Flight helicopter that went down in heavy fog last Friday.

The crash killed two and critically injured a third crew member.

Life Flight is not the only family grieving this week. Former patients who were transported and saved in these air ambulances are also in mourning.

The Life Flight pad here atop LDS Hospital is empty and quiet today and will remain that way. Out of respect for the crew and all those who work with Life Flight, this is a week for mourning.

But it's happening in other parts of the valley as well.

Life Flight was to celebrate its 25th anniversary in another five months, commemorating what would have been "injury free" flights over all these years.

That has changed now with the death of two crew members. But the saving of thousands of other lives has not changed.

In fact, patients rescued over the years by both Life Flight and Air Med are also in mourning. The tragedy is personal in a way only they can understand.

"To me, when I heard it, it affected me much like when 9-11, and President Kennedy, and things like that have happened. I was just heartbroken," says Sue Judd, a former Life Flight patient.

Judd's head was crushed after her car rolled multiple times.

Those at the scene said she was dead. But EMTs on the ground and in the air said not yet. Life Flight kept her alive, whisking her away for specialized care.

"I know other people will get trained and step in, but it's not the same. We've still lost two people that had really contributed so much to all of us," Judd says.

In Life Flight trips alone, more than 5 million patient miles have been logged, and 42,000 accident victims have been transported over the past 20 years.

The Judd family has tried many times to thank those who saved Sue's life. In fact, 10 months after the accident...

"They were off duty. She had baked a lot of cookies and treats and we left those for them ... We're really just saddened by the events of last Friday," says James Judd, Sue's husband.

"Without them, I really would not be here today," Judd says.

Life Flight will not return to this pad to resume services until after a special memorial service is held later this week.

Friends and family members of the crash victims gathered at LDS Hospital today to talk about their loved ones.

Pilot Craig Bingham's brother, sister-in-law and wife spoke about what a wonderful family man he was and how much he loved his job.

The sole survivor of the crew, flight nurse Stein Rosvquist is still in critical condition at LDS hospital. His underwent back surgery yesterday.

The family of paramedic Mario Guerrero has tentatively planned a funeral service for Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the McKay Events Center in Orem.

Details will be announced later this week for the funeral service of the pilot, Craig Bingham.

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