Fellow rescue workers honor victims of helicopter accident

MUSCLE SHOALS - Hundreds of paramedics, firefighters and other emergency responders from throughout the South cried and hugged Saturday as they gathered to remember the crew of Air Evac 16 who died when their helicopter crashed Dec. 29.

Pilot Michael Baker, 41, paramedic Allan Bragwell, 40, and flight nurse Tiffany Miles, 29, were killed in the crash that occurred as they helped search for a missing hunter at Freedom Hills Wildlife Management Area near Cherokee.

Before the service began, Seth Myers, president of Missouri-based Air Evac, said the trio left a lasting legacy in the company.

"We will always remember our fallen crew members who, on a mission attempting to help another, gave the ultimate sacrifice," Myers said.

Colin Collins, chief executive officer of Air Evac, told the crowd of about 1,000 mourners that the company will continue its job of saving lives. He said that's what Baker, Bragwell and Miles would want.

"If I could talk to them today, they would say 'learn from our sacrifice, remember us and continue the mission,' I pledge to you that will happen," he said.

Collins cried at times as he spoke.

He said the compassion of the Shoals and the emergency medical community since the crash has been heartwarming.

"The community outpouring of sympathy and support have been an awe-inspiring thing for us," he said. "What has brought us together is a tragedy. We may not know each other, but we're bound together by a mission and a mutual respect that will make us friends forever."

Air Evac flight crews from throughout the company's 11-state service area filled the choir loft at the massive First Baptist Church.

A procession of nine Air Evac and U.S. Coast Guard helicopters flew over the church before the memorial service began.

Baker was a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and an officer in the Coast Guard Reserve. During the memorial, Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Daryl Schaffer presented Baker's family with a certificate announcing that Baker had been promoted to lieutenant commander. Schaffer said Baker was promoted Dec. 13 but died before receiving his certificate.

Before the two-hour memorial service ended, a 12-minute video scrapbook showing photographs of Baker, Bragwell and Miles on and off the job was played. Many of the mourners wiped away tears as the photographs were shown.

Mourners also cried at the end of the service as a recording of a radio call informing Air Evac employees that November 109 Alfa Echo, Air Evac 16's helicopter, is out of service.

After the service, many Air Evac employees took photographs of a memorial to Baker, Bragwell and Miles at the front of the church that featured three wreaths and three empty chairs draped with flight suits, helmets and boots.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.