Four dead in midair chopper crash
Two local television news helicopters covering an on-the-ground police chase, collided in a midair crash earlier today. Four local reporters and pilots from Channel 3 and Channel 15 lost their lives in the accident.
Our most sincere condolences go out to the families of Craig Smith and Rick Krolak of ABC KNXV-TV Channel 15, and Scott Bowerbank and Jim Cox of Independent KTVK-TV Channel 3.
The crafts came down over Steele Indian School Park at Central and Indian School in midtown Phoenix.
Our hearts go out to the copter crews and their loved ones after this unfortunate accident, which tragically illustrates why our for-profit, local news media should not be in the business of chasing ratings over our streets and neighborhoods. Tracking crimes scenes would be best left to the Police helicopters. Fortunately, no one on the ground was hurt this time.
This is a tragic example of our OJ Simpson mentality. That was the onset of this type of voyeurism, with issues best left to police agencies, taken on by the ratings based media.
Perhaps the best way of preventing such occurances in the future would be to have alternating stations (on a list similar to those used by ambulance services) cover such events–since that appears to be the way of the world—and allow their “feed” to be tapped into by all other stations.
Of course, they are competitors, but they are also colleagues—and human beings, first and foremost.
Competition is great, but not when it imperils lives. This tragedy could have been even worse if Steele Park was open and in use during these usually busy summer months—or if the horrific crash occurred over businesses, restaurants, or nearby schools.