(Memphis) About 2,500 people attended a celebration of remembrance for the three Hospital Wing crew members killed in a helicopter crash in Fayette County.
The memorial service for nurse Carrie Barlow, respiratory therapist Denise Adams, and pilot Charles Smith was held Tuesday at Hope Presbyterian in Cordova.
They died when their chopper crashed while on their way to pick up a pediatric patient.
Tuesday morning’s service was an emotional one.
Crile Crisler, administrative director of Emergency Services at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, recalled how devoted the three team members were.
“They were three remarkable individuals. And you couldn’t help, no matter what, but to see their smile though everything,” said Crisler.
It was a difficult day for family and friends, as well as for those in the same profession.
Among family, friends, and community members were the victims’ extended family of more than a dozen flight crews from across the country.
First responders’ vehicles filled the church’s parking lot, and it wasn’t hard to pick out the emergency workers as they left the service in their uniforms and flight suits.
The men and women didn’t hide their emotion Tuesday, and said they are anxious to get back on the flight-line soon.
Crisler said it’s what everyone in the medical community is ready to do, knowing it’s what Barlow, Adams, and Smith would want.
“It will be hard for us to continue doing what we’re doing in their remembrance, but they would want us to go back. They would want us to continue the work that they did and that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” said Crisler.
Kolby Kolbet is with Life Link out of Minneapolis, and this was the fourth service like this he’s been to in as many years.
“Every time you go through this, you can’t help but personalize it,” he said. “Your family speaks on your behalf. Who would you want to speak on your behalf? It’s sad to think like that, but it’s something we all think about.”
Paramedics out of Haywood County were also there. One of the Hospital Wing landing pads is right behind their station.
“It was tough, pretty tough,” Andy Miller said.
Although he didn’t know Denise Adams, Carrie Barlow or Charlie Smith personally, he says they were all part of the same team.
“Just seeing the pictures and bringing the realization we are all people that are doing this,” Miller said. “We are all individuals that love what we do .”
Liz Henley has been a flight nurse with Nashville’s Vanderbilt Life Flight for 18 years, and said this is a reminder of what comes with the job.
“The risks, that’s we take in the profession we have chosen, but we do it each and every day to take care of our patients,” she said.
The memorial service was a reminder of the possible danger that comes with the high-flying career, but also the commitment of those in the profession.
Jason Clark is the Hospital Wing’s Education Coordinator.
“It is a calling and we have a lot of people who are ready to get back in the air and help the people in the Mid-South,” said Clark.
But Tuesday’s focus was on three special people and the lives they touched.
Battalion Chief Andrew Hart, an EMS administrator with the Memphis Fire Department, is one of those people.
“It was a celebration of all three of them: their dedication to serving others, to helping others and to dedicating their lives to Christ,” said Chief Hart.
The emotional scene continued after Tuesday’s program ended as victim’s families filed out of the church.
A member of Denise Adams’ family clutched a folded American flag, as did one of Charles Smith’s sons.
They were followed by Carrie Barlow’s family and a family member also holding a flag.
Mayor AC Wharton declared this a day to honor Barlow, Adams and Smith, and to bring attention to all the first responders who have lost their lives helping others.
What was left of the helicopter was taken to Nashville to be reconstructed.
It could be nine months or longer before the NTSB rules on the cause of the crash.
Funds have been established for each of the three families. Please designate to whom the funds should be distributed.
By check, made payable to the Le Bonheur Foundation mailed to:
Le Bonheur Foundation
P.O. Box 41817
Memphis, TN 38174
Online at https://events.lebonheur.org/helpfund
Donations can also be made in their honor to the Pedi-Flite team at http://www.lebonheur.org/donatenow.
