The Radio-Television News Directors Association issued a statement extending the organization's deepest sympathies to the families and colleagues of the four Phoenix television station helicopter crew members who died in a mid-air collision on July 27.
"Our hearts go out to the pilots and photographers, their families and their colleagues," said Barbara Cochran, president of RTNDA. "This is a time to reflect on the importance of their work and their passionate drive to protect and serve their community and neighbors with information."
Helicopters from several Phoenix area TV stations were covering a police chase involving a stolen truck when the choppers from KTVK and KNXV-TV collided. Killed in the KTVK aircraft were pilot Scott Bowerbank, 42, and photographer Jim Cox, 37. Pilot Craig Smith, 46, and photographer Rich Krolak, 55, died in the crash of the KNXV-TV helicopter.
Cochran eulogized the crash victims in a statement that praised the work of all new helicopter crews.
"It is important to recognize the unique public service provided by the brave men and women who pilot and report from news helicopters," Cochran said. "During an emergency, news helicopters can help to locate and identify citizens in need of life-saving assistance. Video from helicopters that shows the scene from remote areas, such as those swept by wildfires, the aftermath of heavy snowfalls, advancing flooding or other natural events on inaccessible lands, provides necessary information to a populace at risk or advance warning to the population in general."
