Helicopter crash victim has Gila Valley ties

By Jon Johnson
Assistant Editor
Published on Thursday, July 29, 2010 3:07 PM MST

A LifeNet paramedic who died after the helicopter she was flying in crashed in Tucson on Wednesday afternoon has ties to the Gila Valley.

Brenda French, 28, succumbed to her injuries after the aircraft suddenly spun out of control and crashed into a residence's wall on Park Avenue, south of Glenn in midtown Tucson.

French grew up in the Bonita area and still has family in the Gila Valley. According to her Facebook page, she graduated from Winslow High School in 2000. She had been working as a flight paramedic for Air Methods Corporation–LifeNet Arizona since March.

These LifeNet crew members lost their lives when their helicopter crashed in Tucson on Wednesday afternoon. They are, from left, flight nurse Parker Summons, flight paramedic Brenda French and pilot Alex Kelly.

The pilot, Alex Kelly, 61, and nurse, Parker Summons, 41, also died from injuries sustained in the crash.

The helicopter was based out of the Southeast Arizona Medical Center in Douglas and was returning from Marana at the time of the crash. The aircraft was not carrying a patient.

A witness told local Tucson media that he heard a popping sound before the aircraft's engines went silent. He then saw the helicopter spin a few times before it crashed into a wall and burst into flames.

Tucson firefighters extinguished the flames, and no other injuries were reported.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.

The Gila Valley has a local LifeNet base station at the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center.

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Comments

7 comment(s)

Mary Ann wrote on Aug 1, 2010 9:53 PM:

" My heart felt condolences go out the family of brenda..my husband went to school with her for the same career and had nothing but good things to say about her..EMS is a tough job and it is selfless when it comes to saving others. May God comfort her family in their greatest time of need. "

Lil Lady wrote on Aug 1, 2010 9:37 PM:

" My thoughts and prayers to the families of these courageous people. This tragedy is so heartbreaking. "

Jay Rasco wrote on Jul 30, 2010 6:52 AM:

" A terrible tragedy has occured that effects ALL our lives even though we may not have known them personnaly. Heartfelt condolences go out to ALL their families. Thank you to the families of these brave people who sacrificed so much for so many.

God bless.

Jay "

Melanie wrote on Jul 29, 2010 9:24 PM:

" Thank you to all who selflessly serve and put their lives on the line for greater good of the public. My prayers go out to these victims families and friends. "

Friend wrote on Jul 29, 2010 6:57 PM:

" Brenda is a wonderful person who will be missed dearly. Her friends and family mourn this loss deeply. Rest in peace Brenda. "

Outside Looking In wrote on Jul 29, 2010 3:51 PM:

" I just want to add my condolences. The work that these people do is not only heroic, but as we saw yesterday, very dangerous. They fly day after day, risking their lives to save others. The motto, "So Others May Live" is a perfect description of EMS workers. I have worked both fire and EMS and know the dangers faced every day. Next time you see one of your local EMS workers: EMT, Medic, nurse, doctor, firefighter - tell them how much you appreciate them, before it's too late. "

Eloisa Montoya wrote on Jul 29, 2010 3:27 PM:

" My condolences go out to the family and friends of these three brave people... I appreciate the type of work they offered their lives to... I will pray for them and their family and friends, and although I did not know any of them I am deeply saddened by this news... "

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