Angel Flight Down

The following dramatization

is based on official documents, personal interviews

and published accounts.

Angel Flight 8-6, Alpha Bravo,

you are clear to taxi via Alpha for runway 2-6.

All right, Tower, 8-6 Alpha Bravo,

ready for takeoff on 2-6.

Confirm my FR flight plan.

Alpha Bravo.

Clear for takeoff on.

- Alpha Bravo, climbing on runway heading for 7,000.

Good day, sir.

I hope you're all tied down back there.

We got takeoff clearance.

Brad, you can get that later.

I got that, no problem.

I'll get to that later.

All set, Chuck.

How about you, you need a hand up there?

So what are you doing this weekend?

My son Travis is learning how to cook.

I'll let him handle the kitchen,

I'll make a fire, curl up with Bob.

Well, wake me up when we get there.

- Okay, hon, one more cough. - I know I should've

looked after her.

And again.

Just to be on the safe side,

I'd like to do an X-ray.

- Why, what's the matter? - Telephone call.

for Dr. Johnson. - I'm not sure.

I need a closer look. - Telephone call

for Dr. Johnson. - Let's go.

Hey, come on, Pumpkin.

Let's go see what you look like on the inside, okay?

Come on . Yeah.

What's that?

- Pretty sure it's metal, something she swallowed.

There's a non-surgical procedure we can try

to get it out of there, OR, please.

There we go.

Wait.

Yeah. I did, unfortunately.

What's her blood pressure?

140 over 95.

Okay.

How's her heart rate?

99.

What's her heart rate now?

125, 129, 131, 139.

She's tach-ing. 140.

She can't take it.

- We did a bronchoscopy, but we were unable to remove it.

We can't operate here, it's too risky.

There's an infection that could spread

to the heart or the lungs.

We have to fly her immediately

to Children's Hospital in Denver.

I can't overstate this, her condition is extremely serious.

My, my wife's terrified of flying.

A seven-hour drive is too dangerous.

I'll fly with Sammy.

I'll make the arrangements.

- You, uh, you go with Mom and I-I'll meet you

at the hospital in Denver.

I'll get it. Bagshaw residence.

Okay, I'll be in in 20 minutes.

Who was that?

Sorry, honey, I gotta go back to work.

Why don't you come with me?

You can ride back with Dad.

But you just got home.

I have to go, we're flying a little girl

to Denver for surgery.

Mom, there's a big storm coming in.

I know, we'll get out before it hits.

Aw, Travis, what's the matter?

- I just, I wish you weren't flying Angel Flights anymore.

I mean, look at it out there.

Hey, it's my job.

I'll be back in time for your birthday.

- Hey, good looking. - I gotta fly out to Denver,

a little girl is sick.

Oh, terrific.

- Listen, take Travis home. He's worried about me.

- He's worried about you and he's not worried about me?

He's worried about you flying the chopper, too,

but he won't admit it.

- Yeah, we'll talk about this when you get back.

You gotta hurry. - Okay.

- Love you. - Love you.

You're a tough guy aren't you, buddy?

Ready to do it, killer? Come on.

Daddy, come with me, I'm scared.

You can do it by yourself. There you go.

There you go, Justin,

that's it, bend your knees.

Piece of cake. Yeah!

Oh! You okay there?

Hey, you guys.

What in the world's going on, huh?

You okay?

I'm okay, Daddy.

You okay, sweetie?

Gotta do it by himself.

That's the only way he's gonna learn, right?

Honey, we need to talk, you know.

I think that we should just put Justin

in the church kindergarten.

There's two things wrong with that.

It's at the church, and it's at the church.

Yeah, well, I know.

Well, all have Justin's friends go there.

I-I think that it would be good for him. Brad?

Angie, I gotta get the phone, I'm on call.

Can we please finish this conversation?

- Yeah, Brown here. - Brad, Teresa.

You gotta come in.

Well, do I have time to take a shower?

I've been, uh- - No, the patient's

a two-year-old girl with a fever of 105.

We're flying her to Denver.

I'm on my way.

I gotta go.

Great.

Come here, buddy.

Your daddy's gotta go and take a plane to Denver tonight.

Don't go, Daddy.

- See, there's a little kid like you who's sick,

and we gotta try to save her life.

- This is the way that it always is, you know that?

- Angie, this is my job. What do you expect?

- I expect you to give Justin and I equal time.

Brad?

I gotta go.

Hey, Maria.

Hey, Brad, have a good one.

See you tomorrow.

We better move out.

How's she doing?

Not so good.

We didn't have time to make introductions before.

I'm Teresa Bagshaw.

I'll be the flight nurse.

I'm Jack Bahr.

Brad Brown.

My wife Patty and my mother Loretta.

Just kiss me, Mommy.

Oh, sweetheart!

I want Bow.

What's that?

Oh. That's what she calls her bear.

Hey there, Bow.

Gonna take good care of you too.

Hey?

Hey, everything's gonna be all right, okay?

I love you.

Okay, we're all set.

Let's get a move on.

- She's being prepped. - Be there in no time.

We'll be in Denver soon.

- Watch it, she's got and obstruction. Be careful.

Watch that IV.

I'll get the front.

And here we go.

Take three, boys.

- I got the right. - All right.

Look her over.

And one, two, three.

- Put her down. - How's the IV?

Good. Bring her down.

It's okay, honey. - Going down.

Bring it down. One, two, three, go.

Jack, let's go.

Yo, Brad, how you doing?

How you doing, Rick?

Jack, this is Rick. He's our pilot.

Rick, this is Jack Bahr, he's the patient's father.

- Welcome aboard. - Thanks.

- Jack, come over, sit over here. Hey, buddy.

Hey, what'd you do, break your razor?

I'm gonna do this real quick.

Gosh, you're good.

Is that bothering you?

I'll make it more comfy. That okay now?

Mrs. Bagshaw?

Teresa, Jack.

Um, shouldn't be in some sort

of infant seat or something?

She's strapped in tight.

Alpha, IFR flight plan to Denver.

I have information with me.

Air Ambulance 8-6, Delta Bravo.

You are clear to taxi on IFR flight plan to Grand Junction.

Alpha Bravo, I'll make sure, no problem.

This is an air ambulance.

It's equipped for any kind of medical emergency.

We've got antibiotics, oxygen,

medical instruments, supplies.

Thanks.