U of M Survival Flight Plane Crash

I just heard that there was a plane crash in Michigan that involved a survival flight crew that was on their way to the hospital with organs for donation. One of the victims included a beloved doctor who we knew during our stay at Michigan. His name was Dr. David Ashburn and he had a very distinctive southern accent that made Josh & I feel very at home with him. We dealt with him primarily during our 1st visit when he would assist with chest closures, etc. I just thought I would share with you this news so that you may join us in praying for the University of Michigan staff as well as the friends and family members of the victims.

Below is an excerpt from Michigan's website:

"U-M is mourning six members of a U-M Survival Flight crew whose plane crashed in Lake Michigan late Monday afternoon. The U.S. Coast Guard this morning (June 5) declared that all on board were lost. The team was heading back to the Willow Run Airport, carrying organs for transplant.

“Our hearts are broken by this devastating and irreplaceable loss for the University of Michigan community,” said President Mary Sue Coleman during an 11:30 press conference today. “Every day, the doctors, nurses and flight personnel of Survival Flight perform heroic work to save the lives of others, and that is how we will remember those who perished in this tragedy—as selfless heroes.

“There is no greater act than that of saving a life, and through our grief, we take comfort in knowing these six men died in the service of a fellow human being.”
Aboard the aircraft were:
Dr. David Ashburn, a fellow (physician-in-training) in cardiothoracic surgery
Richard Chenault II, a donation specialist with the U-M Transplant Program
Dennis Hoyes, a Marlin Air pilot
Rick Lapensee, a donation specialist with the U-M Transplant Program
Bill Serra, a Marlin Air pilot
Dr. Martinus (Martin) Spoor, a cardiac surgeon who had been on the faculty since 2003

Dr. Robert Kelch, executive vice president of medical affairs, said the U-M Health System and greater campus community are in mourning for the victims and their families.
“We are thousands of people who come together every day, saying to our patients: ‘We can treat your illness,’ ‘we will help you recover,’ ‘we will work to return you to the life you knew.’
“We are a place of strength and optimism, of determination and knowledge. The people who work here are people who believe—sometimes, against all odds—that they can help make a difference in a patient’s life. So it is particularly difficult when a place of hope, loses hope. But that is what happened this morning when we learned that our crew was not coming home to us.
“Despite valiant, tireless efforts on the part of the U.S. Coast Guard and many other emergency and rescue agencies—for which we are extraordinarily grateful—we now know that our team is lost.”
Soon after takeoff from General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee the pilot sent an emergency signal indicating he wanted to turn the Cessna jetaround. Within moments air traffic controllers report the plane disappeared from radar."

Thanks,

Stephanie