Former BCO 1/75RGR Involved in Texas A&M Crash

[ElCid175RGR]

Gentleman,

Was in Texas on a trip visiting a former Ranger buddy, playin some golf, drinkin a few beers when a Texas National Guard Blackhawk crashes across the street on the Duncan Corps Drill Field....The Blackhawks were shutteling cadets to Winter Training, the crash resulted in 2 Killed and 3 seriously injured...I will add my statement below for you all to read with names omitted...but come to find out the pilot was a a former Bco 1/75 guy...have talked to him by phone he is doing as well as can be exspected and is in Brooke Army Medical center...if anyone would like to send him or his family anything PM me and I will pass along he contact info....


http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories...b.7dbb883.html


On, 12 Jan 2009, I observed the crash of an Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter on Duncan Field on the campus of Texas A&M University.

I, BLANK witnessed and took part in the following events. On Monday afternoon (time I do not recall) I was on the 10^th fairway of the Texas A&M Golf Course when off to my right I observed the rapid decent of a UH-60 Helo. It appeared that the tail rotor had either given out or was stalled, as the fixed wing aircraft bucked in a nose up and down manner until it spun out of view behind some buildings. I was with an Aggie student and Combat Veteran BLANK whom I served with in the 1^st Ranger BN from 2003-2006. Within seconds after the aircraft left our view behind some building, we heard the loud thud of the aircraft meeting the ground. BLANK and I immediately jumped on the golf cart and headed for Duncan field. Our estimated time of arrival after the aircraft hit the ground was approximately 5 min. Once on the scene BLANK and I approached the Helo from the left troop door side and began to get a count of personnel at the crash site. One soldier was already out of the aircraft and did not appear to have any visible signs of serious trauma. We began to work on the left Troop Door attempting to get it open as much as possible to get inside to the casualties, during that time others began assisting on the right troop door side and the right co-pilot side. I took up a position on the right co pilot side where it was visible that the co-pilot was suffering severe trauma to the face and head and also had a compound fracture in as little as 2 places to his left femur. My self and a female (appeared to be in the late 40’s), began cutting the co-pilot free from his safety harness. As the space was becoming confined and only one person was needed to cut him free, I moved inside the Helo and began unhooking and cutting away the troop seats that were entangled around the 2 crew chiefs. With a knife and a set of bolt cutters, BLANK and I were able to remove much of the debris from the troop carrying area of the Helo and assist in reaching the injured crew chiefs. Moments later, an Army NCO (in uniform name Chavez) asked for IV’s for the casualty he had which was unresponsive and appeared to be in a state of paralysis, ( I tried to rub his legs for any sign of feeling but casualty was still unresponsive and was lying in the fetal position) I went thru the aid bags that I found in the aircraft but no IV’s were in their kits. At approximately 15-20 min into the effort to asses and comfort casualties, EMT’s and Firemen arrived, I began to give the first EMT I saw a rundown and casualty assessment giving the Co-Pilot a critical condition but boarding on going into shock, the three Crew Chiefs in the rear Urgent Critical. Once a full compliment of rescue personnel were at the crash site John and I were asked to move away from the crash, we headed back for the golf cart and then behind the red tape around the field.

[307th_ACE]

Thanks for the info.

For what it is worth, outstanding first response at the crash site.

My hat is off to you and I hope the Ranger and all injured are doing well.

[ccorgr175]

Way to Lead the Way, brother.

Another story to show how it pays to stay SWITCHED ON...always. Who would have thought...on a golf trip??

One minute in a riding cart, the next cutting troops free inside a BH...

Prayers out to all involved.


2%

[oncewasargr]

Update on the Blackhawk crash. The pilot I am told is doing well he suffered serious injuries, but was able to leave the hospital to attend the funeral for one of the men killed a 2nd Lt Zac Cook. One of the crew chiefs died from his injuries, and the other crew members are in critical condition.
My prayers go out to all their families.

[Sharky]

The Crew Chief who died was a Federal Air Marshal.


http://www.socnet.com/showthread.php?t=83218

[CCo275]

RIP warrior. Best wishes to the injured and the families of all.