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| Photographer Bill Strothman, screenshot KOMO.com |
Three weeks ago Pilot Gary Pfitzner, 59, and former KOMO photographer Bill Strothman, 62, died when the helicopter they were in crashed in downtown Seattle. When I heard the news I was shocked but I’m sure my reaction paled in comparison to the family, friends, and co-workers of the victims. The crash happened right outside KOMO’s building. Then they reported on it. Talk about a scenario none of us wants to be in.
As I watched the coverage I was amazed/impressed/in awe
of how the team handled the situation. I can’t even imagine how difficult it
was for them. I spent much of the morning watching the wall to wall coverage
online and reading every update that came out. I was on twitter retweeting pictures, updates, and details as they were released. Friends of mine in the business across the country were doing the same thing. I got so engrossed I had to
force myself to take a step back.
The crash also made me think of Joel Connable. He died in November 2012 after just having started working at KOMO as their Weekend Anchor/Reporter. I first met Joel when I interned at WLTX-News 19 in Columbia, SC. As a young, impressionable, budding journalist Joel was a mentor. He was always kind to me, showed me the ropes, and was always encouraging. That may not seem like a big deal but in the cutthroat, cynical world of journalism it meant a lot and it speaks to his character. I looked forward to going out with him on liveshots each week in the fall of 2001, then later when I was hired by the station on Sunday's a group of us went out to dinner after the early newscast. He was always someone I looked up to and to my dismay I never expressed how much of a positive impact he had on my career before he passed away.
The crash also made me think of Joel Connable. He died in November 2012 after just having started working at KOMO as their Weekend Anchor/Reporter. I first met Joel when I interned at WLTX-News 19 in Columbia, SC. As a young, impressionable, budding journalist Joel was a mentor. He was always kind to me, showed me the ropes, and was always encouraging. That may not seem like a big deal but in the cutthroat, cynical world of journalism it meant a lot and it speaks to his character. I looked forward to going out with him on liveshots each week in the fall of 2001, then later when I was hired by the station on Sunday's a group of us went out to dinner after the early newscast. He was always someone I looked up to and to my dismay I never expressed how much of a positive impact he had on my career before he passed away.
While at WLTX he along with Adam Murphy headed up two franchises: On Your Side and Restaurant Report Card. They helped make significant gains for News 19 in the ratings and I look back at that time fondly. They were the perfect duo; so talented and left a long lasting impression on the market.
Joel’s death hit me a lot harder than I expected. It was just so sudden and shocking. There’s also still an element of disbelief that he’s no longer here. Especially now that he and I could’ve been living in the same city again.
Today the KOMO helicopter crash continues to be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the two victims have been laid to rest. A third person who was also affected by the crash is recovering from his injuries. While the audience and the other news outlets have moved on to another tragedy here, the Oso landslide, I can’t help but wonder how friends and loved one of the victims and the KOMO team are processing it all.
We all think we have plenty of time but things can change in an instant.
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