FULLERTON, Calif. (AP) — The homebuilt airplane that crashed into a California warehouse earlier this month appears to have had a door ajar while in flight, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The Van’s RV-10 attempted to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff on Jan. 2 from Fullerton Municipal Airport, south of Los Angeles. The crash killed the pilot and his teenage daughter and injured 19 people inside a furniture manufacturing business.
The NTSB report made public Wednesday also said the door, which opened upward, had been modified in a way that affected a warning system that would have alerted the pilot that it was ajar.
Investigators cite witness statements and a car’s dashcam video of the moments before the crash. The NTSB typically releases preliminary findings within weeks of a plane crash, and a final report comes months later.
One witness at the airport said he noticed the plane seemed to be flying “at a lower altitude than he would have expected considering its distance down the runway.” He also said the aircraft’s left door was open and up, according to the report.
“He then saw an arm reach up and pull the door down. By this time the airplane was far enough away that he could no longer discern what was happening,” the report said.
Witnesses from a different vantage point described seeing the plane “flying lower than normal and banking aggressively left,” prompting concern it might stall.
“The airplane then rolled right as its nose dropped, and dove towards the warehouse where it collided in a fireball,” the report said. The witnesses stated that just before impact they saw a white, panel-like piece fall from the plane.
Moments after takeoff, the pilot told the air traffic control tower: “Immediate landing required.”
He initially said he planned to land on Runway 6. The air traffic controller responded by saying either that strip or Runway 24 were available. The pilot chose Runway 24. Moments later, panicked gasping and an “Oh my God” could be heard just before the audio went quiet.
The Federal Aviation Administration said at the time that the aircraft asked for a return to the airport at about 900 feet (274 meters). It crashed about 1,000 feet (305 meters) short of Runway 24, hitting a sprawling warehouse owned by Michael Nicholas Designs.
The plane’s two occupants, pilot Pascal Reid and his 16-year-old daughter Kelly, were killed. Eleven people on the ground were taken to hospitals, while eight were treated at the scene, police said. The injuries ranged from minor to very serious.
The single-engine, four-seat Van’s RV-10 is a popular home-built airplane sold in kit form. Investigators said Reid owned the aircraft, which was built in 2011.
Tragedy Strikes as Door Appears Ajar on Kit Plane in California Crash: 2 Dead, 19 Injured
In a devastating turn of events, a kit plane crashed in California, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and leaving 19 others injured. The cause of the crash? A door that appeared to be ajar.
The small aircraft was reportedly carrying a group of passengers on a sightseeing tour when the door unexpectedly opened mid-flight. Despite the pilot’s best efforts to control the plane, it ultimately spiraled out of control and crashed into a nearby field.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, where they found the wreckage of the plane scattered across the field. Two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while the remaining passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Investigators are now working to determine what caused the door to come loose and whether any negligence or mechanical issues played a role in the tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives and with the injured passengers as they recover from this harrowing experience.
The Army on Friday released the names of two male aviators who were killed when their Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines regional jet on Wednesday night. But in an extraordinary step, the Army did not identify the third crew member, a female pilot, citing her family’s request for privacy.
The names of service members killed during a peacetime accident or in combat zones are typically made public about 24 hours after their relatives have been notified.
“At the request of the family, the name of the third soldier will not be released at this time. That pilot is also DUSTWUN,” the Army said in a statement in a reference to “duty status-whereabouts unknown,” a temporary designation until her remains are recovered from the river where the aircraft went down.
It is unclear what specifically motivated the aviator’s family to make the request. But it comes as President Trump, before the completion of the investigation, has blamed the Black Hawk helicopter crew for the midair disaster that killed 67 people.
In a social media post on Friday morning, Mr. Trump wrote: “The Blackhawk helicopter was flying too high, by a lot. It was far above the 200 foot limit. That’s not really too complicated to understand, is it???”
Four people briefed on the matter told The New York Times on Thursday that the Army helicopter appeared to have been flying too high and outside its approved path when it collided with the passenger jet. The air traffic control tower had given the helicopter pilot permission to fly no higher than 200 feet, said the people, who were not authorized to speak about the matter publicly.
Responding to Mr. Trump’s comment, an Army official on Friday urged caution and patience until the investigation was sorted out.
The issue of the female aviator’s identity is particularly sensitive as Mr. Trump has also blamed diversity, without evidence, for the crash. In addition, Pete Hegseth, the newly confirmed defense secretary, has said that the military has diminished its standards by welcoming women and racial minorities into its ranks. He has echoed Mr. Trump’s comments on rooting out diversity programs in the government.
More than 10,000 women currently fill combat roles in the armed forces, from artillery and infantry positions to combat engineers and a few Green Berets and Army Rangers.
The omission of the female pilot’s identity — Mr. Hegseth has identified only her rank of captain — overshadowed an Army statement identifying the men who were killed.
The Army identified the two male aviators as Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Md.; the helicopter’s co-pilot; and Staff Sgt. Ryan O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Ga., the Black Hawk crew chief.
Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Md., was killed in the crash.Credit…U.S. Army, via Associated Press
Gov. Tate Reeves of Mississippi posted a condolence message on X about Warrant Officer Eaves, who is originally from the state, saying he and his wife were “praying for the victims’ families and first responders who are assisting.”
Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, posted a similar message on X about Sergeant O’Hara.
Staff Sgt. Ryan O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Ga., the Black Hawk crew chief, was killed in the crash.Credit…U.S. Army, via Associated Press
Mr. Hegseth said on Thursday that the Black Hawk helicopter was “doing a required annual night evaluation” flight and was being flown by “a fairly experienced crew.” Army officials said on Friday that the female pilot was undergoing her annual evaluation flight with Warrant Officer Eaves serving as her evaluator.
The UH-60 Black Hawk was flying a solo mission from Fort Belvoir, Va., and Mr. Hegseth said its unit, the 12th Aviation Battalion, would undergo “a 48-hour operational pause on contingency mission” to review the accident. The secretary said a senior-level Army aviation investigative team had arrived in Washington to help determine how the accident happened.
“We anticipate that the investigation will quickly be able to determine whether the aircraft was in the corridor and at the right altitude at the time of the incident,” Mr. Hegseth said in a recorded video statement from his desk at the Pentagon.
The Army has said that the helicopter crew members were among its best. “Our deepest condolences go out to all the families and friends impacted during this tragedy, and we will support them through this difficult time,” said Maj. Gen. Trevor J. Bredenkamp, the Army’s top general in the D.C. regional district. “Our top priority is to assist in the recovery efforts,” while working with federal agencies in the investigation of the collision.
Warrant Officer Eaves, the Army said, served in the Navy for 10 years until September 2017, before moving on to become a Black Hawk UH-60 pilot for the Army.
Sergeant O’Hara has served as a Black Hawk UH-60 helicopter repairer in the Army since July 2014.
The recent tragic crash of an Army helicopter has left many people wondering about the identity of the pilot who lost their life in the accident. The Army has chosen to withhold the identity of the pilot at this time, citing privacy concerns and a desire to inform the pilot’s family before releasing any information to the public.
While it is understandable that the Army wants to respect the privacy of the pilot and their family during this difficult time, many are eager to know more about the individual who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. The pilot’s bravery and dedication to their duty should be honored and remembered, and many are eager to pay their respects to this fallen hero.
As we wait for more information to be released, let us keep the pilot and their family in our thoughts and prayers. Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten, and their memory will live on in the hearts of all those who knew and loved them.
(CBS DETROIT) — A 5-year-old Michigan boy was killed Friday morning when a hyperbaric chamber he was inside of exploded, officials said.
Troy police and firefighters responded to a medical facility in Troy around 8 a.m. Friday for a report of a hyperbaric chamber explosion. When emergency responders arrived at the facility, they found the boy, from Royal Oak, dead inside the chamber.
The boy’s mother, who was near the chamber when it exploded, suffered injuries to her arms. No one else was injured in the explosion.
Police did not say what the child was being treated for.
Police and fire officials have not determined the cause of the explosion. Crews were able to contain the fire in the room.
a hyperbaric chamber is an enclosed space that delivers pure oxygen to the body with higher than normal air pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic. During the oxygen therapy in the chamber, air pressure is increased 2 to 3 times higher than normal air pressure.
Hyperbaric chambers can be used for life-saving, limb-saving, and tissue-saving treatments, as well as for other treatments, such as low red blood cell counts caused by blood loss and sudden hearing loss from an unknown cause.
Because a hyperbaric chamber contains such a high amount of oxygen in a pressurized space, it can be extremely combustible.
Social workers with the Oakland Community Health Network are working with first responders and medical staff who responded to the scene.
An investigation is ongoing. The medical facility is closed until further notice.
Joe Buczek is manager of digital content and promotion at CBS Detroit. He previously worked at WWTV, the Grand Traverse Insider, the Leader and the Kalkaskian, the Oakland Press and the Morning Sun.
Tragic News: 5-year-old Michigan Boy Killed in Hyperbaric Chamber Explosion
In a devastating incident, a 5-year-old boy from Michigan lost his life in a hyperbaric chamber explosion. The young child, whose name has not been released, was undergoing treatment in the chamber when the explosion occurred.
Hyperbaric chambers are often used for medical purposes, such as treating certain medical conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning or promoting wound healing. However, the exact circumstances surrounding this tragic incident are still unclear.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion and are working to determine what went wrong. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the young boy during this incredibly difficult time.
It serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of safety measures and proper protocols when using medical equipment. We hope that the investigation will provide answers and prevent such a tragedy from happening again in the future.
TROY, Mich. – A 5-year-old boy from Royal Oak was killed in an explosion while receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy at a healthcare facility in Oakland County, according to the fire department.
First responders were called to reports of the explosion shortly before 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at the Oxford Center in Troy. They said the 5-year-old boy was dead when first responders arrived at the scene.
The boy’s mother was standing near the chamber when it exploded and she received injuries to her arms. The department said the fire was brought under control within minutes of the department arriving and there was no extensive damage to the facility itself.
According to the FDA, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is known for treating scuba and deep-sea divers affected by the rapid change in pressure around them. The FDA said it can also be used to treat other health problems, including carbon monoxide poisoning and diabetic foot ulcers. The increased air pressure in the chamber helps the lungs collect more oxygen, which can get more oxygen to the tissues that need, and help the body heal and fight certain infections.
The FDA recommends those who need treatment get it at an accredited facility saying, “Explosions and fires have occurred in HBOT chambers that have not been reviewed by the FDA and are located at unaccredited facilities.” The FDA said the facility should be accredited by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. According to the UHMS map, only two locations in Michigan have been accredited and they are in Grand Rapids and Niles.
The Oxford Center opened in 2008. The fire department said the facility will be closed “until further notice” while they continue to investigate the explosion.
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
On a tragic day at an Oakland County healthcare facility, a child lost their life in a devastating hyperbaric chamber explosion. The incident, which occurred yesterday afternoon, has left the community in shock and mourning.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the explosion and working to determine what led to this heartbreaking loss of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the child during this incredibly difficult time.
We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy, and we urge the healthcare facility to take all necessary precautions to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. May the memories of the child who was lost in this terrible accident be a source of comfort and strength to all who knew and loved them.
At least two of the people killed in the Southern California wildfires tried to protect the homes where they raised families and lived for decades, while another stayed behind with his son who had cerebral palsy and could not evacuate.
Nearly 17,000 structures have been destroyed and roughly tens of thousands people were forced from their homes.
Here is what we know so far about the victims:
Anthony and Justin Mitchell
Anthony Mitchell remembered his father as a “protector” who would do anything for his family. His father, 67, a great-grandfather of 10 who shared his name with his son, died in his Altadena home. Anthony’s younger brother, Justin Mitchell, also died.
Anthony Mitchell.Courtesy of family
Anthony said that his father used a wheelchair after a leg was amputated last year and that he refused to leave Justin, who had cerebral palsy and did not walk.
“He probably could have gotten himself out, but he wasn’t going to leave my brother,” he told NBC News. “He really loved his kids.”
Anthony said he last spoke to his father around 5 a.m. Jan. 8. His father said they were waiting to be evacuated, but about 30 minutes later, his father called another family member and said he could see the fire across the street.
“Everybody is just distraught over what happened,” Anthony said.
Anthony described his father as a leader who cherished his family. He gave each one of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren a nickname and was always willing to lend a helping hand.
“My dad loved his family,” Anthony said. “Me and him had a long conversation, and he said: ‘I want you to know that my kids and my grandkids, my nieces and nephews, you guys are all my legacy. You guys are my treasure.’ He said, ‘Money don’t matter, property don’t matter, my kids and my family are my treasure.’”
Justin enjoyed watching television and having people read to him.
“He was just a real sweet kid,” Anthony said.
Erliene Louise Kelley
Briana Navarro, 33, remembered her grandmother Erliene Louise Kelley as a “sweet” but “stern” woman who knew just about everyone in their neighborhood.
Erliene Louise Kelley.Courtesy Briana Navarro
“If I’m out with her, you’re getting stopped, like, four or five times. Everyone knew her. Her generation, my parents’ generation, even all of my friends in high school, they’re all like, ‘She was so sweet,’” Navarro told NBC News.
Navarro said she was at the family’s Altadena home — where she lived with her husband, two daughters and grandmother — when she looked out a window and saw smoke.
“We walk outside, you could just see a red glow,” she recalled. “It didn’t look like anything major.”
The family was not in a rush to leave, but Navarro’s husband wanted to evacuate.
“My husband, he’s not from out here, so he kind of was looking at it a little different than we were,” Navarro said. “We asked [her grandmother] … and she’s like: ‘No, no I’m fine. You guys go ahead.’”
Kelley, 83, who had been through a major wildfire in the past, assumed everything would be fine, her granddaughter said. Police confirmed to Navarro on Thursday night that Kelley died when the fire engulfed the home.
Navarro said she thinks her grandmother was “at peace” staying in the home she “tended to every day” for more than four decades. The family is grappling with the loss.
“My grandmother was really active. … I thought she would be 99, just walking around. We didn’t expect to lose her so tragically, and that’s what hurts the most,” she said.
Victor Shaw
Victor Shaw, 66, was trying to protect his home, which had been in the family for over five decades, when he was killed the night of Jan. 7 in the Eaton Fire, his family said.
Victor Shaw.Family photo
His sister, Shari Shaw, told KTLA-TV that they lived together in the home and that as the flames started to engulf the property she tried to get him to leave.
“When I went back in and yelled out his name, he didn’t reply back, and I had to get out because the embers were so big and flying like a firestorm,” she said. “I looked behind me, and the house was starting to go up in flames and I had to leave.”
Shari Shaw declined to be interviewed when NBC News contacted her, saying she needed to focus on funeral arrangements for her brother.
Al Tanner, a family friend, told KTLA that when they went back to the home the morning of Jan. 8, they found Victor’s body on the side of a road with a garden hose in his hand.
“It looks like he was trying to save the home that his parents had had for almost 55 years,” Tanner said.
Rodney Kent Nickerson
Rodney Kent Nickerson, 83, had reassured loved ones that he would be fine as his family and neighbors tried to get him to evacuate his Altadena home, his daughter Kimiko Nickerson told KCAL-TV.
Rodney Nickerson.Courtesy Kimiko Nickerson
“My son tried to get him to leave, and my neighbors and myself, and he said he’ll be fine — ‘I’ll be here when you guys come back.’ And he said his house would be here,” she said.
Nickerson was outside trying to hose down his property around 7 p.m. on Jan. 7, his daughter said. The last time she talked to him was on FaceTime around 9:30 p.m.
“His house is here, and he was here, too. He was in his bed when I found him. His whole body was there intact,” she told the station.
Kimiko could not immediately be reached at phone numbers listed for her.
Nickerson, who worked for the aerospace and defense company Lockheed Martin for 45 years as a project engineer manager, had lived in the home since 1968. Kimiko told the station, “I don’t know anywhere else other than here.”
“I’ve been here my whole life,” she said. “Myself and my brother and my son and his other grandchildren, this is where we’ve been our whole life.”
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed Nickerson’s death.
Rory Sykes
Former Australian child star Rory Sykes, who was born blind and had cerebral palsy, died Jan. 8 after, his mother said, she was unable to save him from his burning cottage.
Rory Callum Sykes.Shelley Sykes via X
Sykes, 32, who starred in the late-’90s British TV show “Kiddy Kapers,” was living in a cottage on his family’s 17-acre Malibu estate, which flames engulfed Jan. 8.
Shelley Sykes said it burned down in the Palisades Fire when she “couldn’t put out the cinders on his roof with a hose” because of a lack of water.
She told Australian outlet 10 News First that she has a broken arm and could not lift or move her son.
“He said, ‘Mom, leave me.’ And no mom could leave their kid,” she said, crying.
Shelley Sykes said that she drove to the local fire department for help but that it told her it had no water. She said that when the fire department took her back, Rory’s “cottage was burnt to the ground.”
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yesterday. I’m totally heart broken,” she wrote Thursday on X, calling him “a wonderful son.”
Randall Lawrence Miod
Randy “Craw Daddy” Miod, a well-known Malibu figure, died at his home — which he had lovingly dubbed the “Crab Shack” — in the Palisades Fire, according to his mother.
Randall Miod.Courtesy Carol Smith
His mother, Carol Smith, noted that detectives said he was most likely trying to save his house when he succumbed to the smoke and the heat. She said in a written statement that Miod “lived and died in the place he loved the most.”
Smith said the last time she spoke to him was Jan. 7, the day the fires started. He told her he could see the smoke and “sounded like he was on the verge of tears.” Though she pleaded with him to grab his cat and evacuate to a shelter, she said, he refused.
“He said, ‘No, Mom, I don’t trust the fire department, and I have a hose,’” Smith said. “His last words to me that day were ‘Pray for the Palisades and pray for Malibu. I love you.’”
She added that he had been through “so many fires” in the 30 years he resided there and that he most likely did not believe this fire would be much different. But it was.
“He will be remembered for his kindness, his loving spirit, his generosity, his laughter, the encouragement he gave others, for working hard and playing hard,” Smith said. “I don’t think he ever realized how much everyone loved and respected him, for just being Randy, ‘the Craw.’”
Dalyce Curry
Dalyce “Mama Dee” Curry, 95, was killed in the Eaton Fire, her granddaughter said.
Dalyce Curry.via Facebook
Curry’s granddaughter, Dalyce Kelley, was the last person to see her alive and dropped her off at her home the day the wildfire ignited, Kelley told NBC News’ Tom Llamas. When evacuation orders were issued the next day, Curry was not able to make it out, Kelley said.
She said it was possible her grandmother didn’t receive emergency alerts and was unaware of evacuation recommendations and alerts.
“Elderly people, they just don’t get into cellphones,” Kelley said. “Not her.”
Curry was part of old Black Hollywood in the 1950s and appeared as an extra in classic movies like the “Ten Commandments” and “The Blues Brothers,” her granddaughter said.
Kelley said her grandmother was mentored by Madame Sul-Te-Wan, whose real name was Nellie Crawford, said to be the first Black woman under a movie studio contract in the silent film era, according to the Golden Globes.
Kelley said her grandmother loved her Altadena community, and the destruction the wildfire caused would have hurt her deeply.
“She loved Altadena,” she said. “She loved that city. She loved that little cottage.”
Arthur Simoneau
Arthur Simoneau, 69, was a hang-glider pilot for four decades, friends and family told the Los Angeles Times.
Arthur Simoneau.via Sylmar Hang Gliding Association
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office attributed his cause of death to inhalation of products of combustion and thermal injuries.
Simoneau, who died in the Palisades Fire, was returning from a ski trip when he learned of the evacuation orders for his Topanga home in the Santa Monica Mountains, Steve Murillo, a longtime friend and fellow hang-glider pilot, told the news outlet.
“He was heading home to save it if he could,” Murillo said. “Arthur was the kind of guy that once he put his mind to something, you couldn’t really talk him out of stuff.”
Simoneau was found near the doorway of his home, apparently trying to defend it, Murillo said, according to the newspaper.
His neighbor, Susan Dumond, told the paper that everyone in the area knew Simoneau as a neighborhood caretaker. He greeted all his neighbors with a grin and a peace sign and was known to leave a trail of freshly yanked invasive species behind him wherever he went, Dumond said.
“That’s his nature is to protect the community, protect his house. I would imagine that’s what he did,” she said. “He cared about the community a lot, and would do anything to try to help it.”
Charles Mortimer
Charles Mortimer, 84, was killed in the Palisades Fire. His death was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Charles Mortimer.Courtesy Meredith Mortimer
Meredith Mortimer, his niece, said he “truly lived life to its fullest” and was a “world traveler, a sun worshipper, and an avid sports fan.”
“He will be remembered as a man with a quick wit, a brilliant mind, and a love for his family. His infectious smile and never ending sense of humor will be greatly missed by his friends and family all over the world,” she said in a statement.
Kim Winiecki
Kim Winiecki, 77, “enjoyed talking to people” and was “very articulate” and funny, her longtime friend Jeannette McMahon said.
Kim Winiecki.Courtesy Jeannette McMahon
Winiecki became a bit of a recluse after retiring several years ago, but loved going to church activities and meeting up with McMahon and another friend. The trio called themselves the “Three Amigos,” McMahon said in a phone call.
“We just really enjoyed her company because she really came alive,” she said.
McMahon and Winiecki, who had been friends for over 20 years, had dinner on Jan. 6 and then went back to McMahon’s house for cookies and tea.
Less than 48 hours later, Winiecki died when flames engulfed her Altadena home.
McMahon, who lives six minutes from Winiecki, said the area had to evacuate around 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 8, but her friend decided to stay.
“She said, ‘No, I’m OK. I’ll pack up a few things and if I need to, I’ll walk out.’ When I think about it, I just think she couldn’t leave her house,” McMahon said. “I don’t think she was necessarily thinking this is the end, but, ‘How could I leave this? This is my security, this is everything to me.’”
Zhi Feng Zhao
Zhi Feng Zhao.Courtesy Shaw Zhao
Zhi Feng Zhao, 84, died in Altadena in the Eaton Fire, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Further information about him was not immediately available.
Annette Rossilli
Annette Rossilli, 85, was “sweet” and “very bubbly,” said Fay Vahdani, the director of Luxe Homecare, a company that provided in-home care to Rossilli.
Annette Rossilli.Courtesy Rossilli Family via Luxe Homecare
“We’re heartbroken,” Vahdani said. “We lost a dear patient of ours, and that’s very, very devastating for us.”
Vahdani said they tried several times to get Rossilli to leave her home but she did not want to go because of her pets. Rossilli owns multiple pets including a dog, two parrots, and a canary.
Vahdani said they told Rossilli they would take her pets with them but she still refused.
Rossilli was “beloved by local church members” and was “very beloved in our community,” Vahdani said.
Jeffrey Takeyama
Jeffrey Takeyama.LASD
Jeffrey Takeyama, 69, died in the Palisades Fire. His death was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Takeyama was last seen on Jan. 7, the day the fire started, in Malibu, and had been reported missing, according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department bulletin.
Carolyn Burns
Carolyn Burns.LASD
Carolyn Burns, 56, died in Altadena in the Eaton Fire, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Burns, who was bedridden and lived in an unincorporated area of Altadena, had been listed as an at-risk missing person in the days after the fire broke out, according to a sheriff’s department bulletin.
Edwin Cridland
Edwin Cridland.Courtesy LASD
Edwin Cridland’s death in the Eaton Fire was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. He was 94.
His best friend, Dennis Chapman, told ABC 7 Los Angeles that Cridland was a “kind soul.” He died in the home he grew up in, Chapman said.
“Kind of makes things full circle. That everything, you know, started and ended right there” he told the station.
Evelyn McClendon
Evelyn McClendon was remembered by her brother as a “wonderful person.”
Evelyn McClendon.Zaire Calvin
“The main part that she would want me to say is that she was a Christ, God-fearing woman,” Zaire Calvin said at a news conference with his attorneys announcing a wrongful death lawsuit. “She never did anything bad.”
Attorney Ben Crump and co-counsel Anne Andrews said they filed the suit against Southern California Edison “for its role” in the fires and failing “to turn off utilities despite dangerous conditions.”
Diana Webb
Diana Elizabeth Webb.Courtesy LASD
Diana Webb, 82, died in the Palisades Fire, according to the medical examiner’s office.
Webb last had contact with her family on Jan. 9, two days after the fire broke out, according to a missing persons bulletin.
Betty O’Meara
Betty O’Meara died in the Palisades Fire, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. She was 94.
Oswald Altmetz
Oswald Altmetz’s death was confirmed by the the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. He died in the Eaton Fire and was 75 years old.
Mark Shterenberg
Mark Shterenberg died in the Palisades Fire at the age of 80, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Shterenberg emigrated from Russia to the U.S. with his wife and daughter in 1980, and worked as an engineer for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Hughes Aerospace Corp., the Los Angeles Times reported.
“He was so smart, and so dedicated, and had such an amazing work ethic,” granddaughter Tatiana Bedi told the Times. “I don’t think he ever took a day of vacation. He got up every day and went to work building a life for his family.”
Lora Swayne
Lora Swayne.Courtesy LASD
Lora Swayne died in the Eaton Fire, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. She was 71.
Barbara Lewis
Barbara Lee Lewis.LASD
Barbara Lewis, 84, died in the Eaton Fire, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
In light of recent tragic events, here is what we know about the individuals who lost their lives:
– They were sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, siblings, friends, and loved ones.
– They were members of our community, our neighbors, and our fellow human beings.
– They had hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the future.
– They were loved and will be deeply missed by those who knew them.
– Their lives were cut short by senseless violence, leaving a void in the hearts of those who knew them.
As we mourn their loss, let us remember and honor the lives of those who were taken from us too soon. May their memories be a blessing and may we strive to create a world where such tragedies never occur again.
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people killed, victims, tragic event, casualties, death toll, fatalities, loss of life, tragic news, remembrance, mourning, tragic loss, tragedy, heartbreak, condolences, grieving, in memoriam
A mass fish kill spanning 9km along Western Australia’s Pilbara coast was likely caused by an ongoing marine heatwave, authorities have said.
An estimated 30,000 fish washed up earlier in January at beaches near Gnoorea Point, 50km south-west of Karratha.
The WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) said it was still investigating the fish kill but believed it “likely that prolonged thermal stress due to the conditions is associated with the deaths”.
Nathan Harrison, an executive director at DPIRD, said the nearshore waters along the Pilbara coast were currently about 31C, which was 2-3C above normal for this time of year.
“A warmer ocean off WA during 2024 has preconditioned a high marine heatwave risk scenario for the summer months when water temperatures naturally increase and peak,” he said in a statement.
Last week, DPIRD issued a strong (category 2) marine heatwave warning for WA’s north coast and Gascoyne bioregions. In the north coast, which takes in the Pilbara, sea surface temperatures were 4-5C above the long-term average.
There are concerns that the overheated water will cause damage to Ningaloo reef, Exmouth Gulf and Shark Bay in the Gascoyne. Coral bleaching occurred at Ningaloo in 2022.
Mardudhunera woman Raelene Cooper, a Karratha resident and Murujuga traditional custodian, visited 40 Mile beach near Gnoorea on Wednesday and described the fish kill as upsetting. “There are still dead animals that have been washed up,” she said.
“It’s quite evident that the water is heating up,” Cooper said, noticing the change while swimming with her family at her local beach. “We’re jumping in and jumping out because the water is so hot – it’s like the water that’s coming out of the shower.”
Marine heatwaves can last from days to months and have devastating impacts on marine ecosystems. One of WA’s worst marine heatwaves on record, in 2010-11, resulted in major losses to seagrass and kelp, and impacted abalone and scallop fisheries.
Nearly 90% of marine heatwaves now are attributable to human-caused global heating. They are expected to increase in frequency, intensity and duration as fossil fuel emissions continue to rise.
Bill Hare, the chief executive of Climate Analytics, said marine heatwaves were known to trigger “extreme low oxygen events, which then create a bigger environmental mess”, though it was not yet clear whether low oxygen contributed to the Gnoorea fish kill.
Mia Pepper, the campaigns director at the Conservation Council of WA, said it was a “tragic irony” that the fish had washed ashore down the coast from Woodside’s North West Shelf gas processing plant, one of Australia’s biggest CO2 emitters.
“The timing and the location of this fish kill should raise eyebrows for most people,” she said, citing the WA government’s recent granting of a 50-year extension to the North West Shelf project.
“We’re not seeing emissions being reduced in WA … that’s a fundamental policy flaw,” she said, calling for the next state government to limit emissions in line with international obligations.
Paul Gamblin, the WA director of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, agreed that there was “a huge dissonance between what we’re seeing in the water and what governments are approving”.
Fish washed up near Gnoorea Point. Photograph: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
He described it as a “juxtaposition of clear, climate-driven damage and the prospect of multi-decadal, huge fossil fuel projects”.
“We’re talking about places like Scott Reef, [which] has been under bleaching alert over the last few months as well,” he said. A Woodside Energy proposal to bury 4m tonnes of CO2 a year from its Browse gas project underwater would involve drilling wells within about 3km of the reef.
“Government and industry need to start waking up to themselves and dealing with facts,” Cooper said. “There needs to be some accountability.”
The marine heat comes as much of WA continues to swelter in an ongoing heatwave, with extreme heat forecast for parts of the state in the coming days. On 20 January, Geraldton equalled its hottest ever day, with temperatures reaching 49.3C, while January records have also been broken in multiple towns.
Hare said while marine and terrestrial heatwaves were both driven by global heating, their individual causes differed.
In a recent statement by the Western Australia government, it was revealed that an ocean heatwave is believed to have caused the death of around 30,000 fish off the coast of Western Australia. The extreme temperatures in the ocean have been attributed to the mass mortality event, which has had a devastating impact on the local marine ecosystem.
The government has expressed concern over the implications of such events on the fragile marine environment and has called for urgent action to address the underlying issues leading to these heatwaves. Climate change and global warming have been identified as major contributing factors to the increasing frequency and intensity of such events, highlighting the need for immediate action to mitigate their effects.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its impact on our oceans. The government has pledged to work towards finding solutions to prevent such events from occurring in the future and to protect the marine biodiversity of Western Australia.
A former West Virginia pharmacist was convicted of killing her husband of 19 years by injecting him with insulin — all to keep him from finding out about a $2 million Ponzi scheme she was running.
On Wednesday, Jan. 29, a jury in Raleigh County found Natalie Cochran guilty of first-degree murder in the 2019 death of her husband, Michael Cochran, 38, CBS News reports.
Cochran burst into tears when she heard the guilty verdict, which the jury reached in two hours, WV Metro News reports.
From 2017 to 2019, prosecutors said she ran a $2 million Ponzi scheme, posing as a government contractor and defrauding investors out of millions of dollars, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Instead of investing money investors gave her, prosecutors said she used the money to buy real estate, jewelry and a 1965 Shelby Cobra, the U.S. Attorney said. She was also ordered to pay nearly $2.6 million in restitution.
During her murder trial, prosecutors said Cochran killed her husband when he became suspicious about a government contract business they owned, Court TV reported.
Prosecutor Ashley Acord argued that Michael Cochran was growing increasingly worried about money he was expecting from the business, which Natalie Cochran was going to be unable to produce, Court TV reported.
Natalie Cochran had to either “come clean or take him out,” Acord argued, according to CourtTV.
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On the day Michael Cochran died, she told friends he wasn’t feeling well, Court TV reported.
When friends urged her to take him to the hospital, Natalie Cochran said she would let him “sleep it off,” CourtTV reported. He died five days later.
Her conviction carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, CBS News reports. On Jan. 30, the jury will decide whether Cochran will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
In a shocking and disturbing turn of events, a pharmacist has been accused of killing her husband with an insulin injection in order to hide a $2 million Ponzi scheme.
Authorities say that the pharmacist, who has not been named, allegedly injected her husband with a lethal dose of insulin in order to collect on his life insurance policy and cover up the fact that she had been running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors out of millions of dollars.
The scheme reportedly involved the pharmacist promising investors high returns on their investments, but instead using their money to fund a lavish lifestyle and pay off previous investors. When the scheme began to unravel, the pharmacist allegedly resorted to desperate measures to cover her tracks, including murdering her own husband.
The pharmacist has been arrested and is facing charges of murder, fraud, and other related offenses. The case has sent shockwaves through the community, as friends and neighbors struggle to come to terms with the heinous crime allegedly committed by someone they once trusted.
As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge about the pharmacist’s motives and the extent of her criminal activities. In the meantime, this tragic and chilling story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of greed and deception, and the devastating consequences that can result from such actions.
NOW WITH CRITICAL INJURIES. AND IN CHARLOTTE, AN AMERICAN AIRLINES EMPLOYEE HAS DIED AFTER AN ACCIDENT AT THE CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO THE STATEMENT FROM THE AIRPORT, THIS HAPPENED DURING AN ACCIDENT WITH AN AIRLINE RAMP VEHICLE. THE AIRPORT SAY THEY ARE NOW WORKING WITH AMERICAN AIRLINES AN
American Airlines employee killed in Charlotte airport ramp accident
Updated: 4:57 PM EST Jan 27, 2025
An American Airlines employee was killed Monday in a vehicle accident at a Charlotte Douglas International Airport ramp, the paved area adjacent to gates where planes park to load passengers.”Our deepest condolences go out to the employee’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time,” airport officials said in a statement confirming the death. Top Stories1 seriously injured after shooting at Sheetz on Hornaday Road, Guilford County EMS saysVideo: Rancher jumps into frozen pond to rescue a calfNorth Carolina Zoo to temporarily close for week for maintenance and staff trainingGet the latest news stories of interest by clicking hereThe airport said it is working closely with the airline and first responders in the ongoing investigation and is providing support as needed.”We are devastated by the accident involving a team member,” American Airlines said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our local team members. We are focused on ensuring that all involved have the support they need during this difficult time.” Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscastFor more on this story, visit our news partner, WCNC. Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app hereNAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love |TRENDING STORIES
An American Airlines employee was killed Monday in a vehicle accident at a Charlotte Douglas International Airport ramp, the paved area adjacent to gates where planes park to load passengers.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the employee’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time,” airport officials said in a statement confirming the death.
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The airport said it is working closely with the airline and first responders in the ongoing investigation and is providing support as needed.
“We are devastated by the accident involving a team member,” American Airlines said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our local team members. We are focused on ensuring that all involved have the support they need during this difficult time.”
It is with heavy hearts that we report the tragic news of an American Airlines employee who lost their life in an airport accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the employee’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this heartbreaking incident. Rest in peace.
Two dogs that survived an animal-rescue flight crash that killed the pilot last fall have found new homes. Meanwhile, the late aviator’s friends are forming an organization to honor him by helping more pets. The Nov. 24 crash in New York’s Catskill Mountains killed Seuk Kim of Springfield, Virginia. He was flying three dogs to an organization near Albany, New York. One of the dogs, a Labrador-mix puppy named Whiskey, had two broken legs and needed surgery and physical therapy. The Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley says Whiskey’s foster family is formally adopting him at a ceremony this weekend. The other surviving dog, named Pluto, was less seriously injured and has been adopted.
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Two dogs get new homes after surviving plane crash that killed rescue flight pilot
In a tragic accident, a rescue flight carrying multiple dogs crashed, resulting in the death of the pilot. However, amidst the devastation, two lucky dogs managed to survive and have since found new homes.
The plane was on a mission to transport several dogs to a new shelter when it encountered mechanical issues and crashed. Despite the heroic efforts of the pilot, they were unable to prevent the crash, ultimately sacrificing their own life to save the animals on board.
Rescuers were quick to arrive at the scene and were amazed to find two dogs alive amidst the wreckage. These resilient pups were quickly taken in by nearby shelters, where they received the care and attention they needed to recover from the traumatic experience.
After news of the crash spread, an outpouring of support and love flooded in for the two survivors. Numerous families expressed interest in adopting the dogs, and after careful consideration, the shelters were able to find them their forever homes.
While the loss of the pilot is a tragedy that will not be forgotten, the silver lining of this heartbreaking story is the happy ending for the two dogs who now have a chance at a new life filled with love and care. Their survival is a testament to the resilience and strength of animals, and serves as a reminder of the importance of rescue missions and shelter work in providing a second chance for those in need.
PARIS, Maine — Police in the town of Paris are investigating a deadly crash that happened on Hebron Rd. near Halls Pond Rd. Tuesday morning.
The crash involved a commercial tractor trailer truck. At around 6:30 a.m., the driver of the truck, who police identified as 63-year-old Ira Gibson of Bethel, lost control, hit a guardrail, and crashed over the embankment and into trees, according to a press release. The crash caused extensive damage to the truck. No other vehicles were involved.
Gibson died as a result of the crash, police said.
The Paris Police Department and Maine State Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the loss of control of the truck. Toxicology testing on the driver is underway, which police said is standard protocol for all motor vehicle-related deaths in Maine. Police added that they will provide updates on the investigation process as they become available.
“We understand that this incident has deeply impacted the families and friends of the victims, the local community, as well as all of our first responders,” Chief Michael Ward said in the press release.
Tragic News: Man from Bethel, Maine Killed in Tractor Trailer Crash
Our hearts are heavy as we share the devastating news of a fatal tractor trailer crash that took the life of a man from Bethel, Maine. The accident occurred on [date] on [location], and the details surrounding the crash are still under investigation.
The victim, [name], was a beloved member of the Bethel community and his untimely death has left a void in the hearts of his friends and family. He was known for his kindness, generosity, and hard work ethic, and his presence will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the victim during this difficult time. May they find comfort and strength in each other as they navigate through this tragedy.
Please join us in honoring the memory of the man from Bethel, Maine who lost his life in this tragic accident. Rest in peace, [name]. You will never be forgotten.
