FRISCO, Colo. — Thursday marked 10 years since the deadly crash that killed a Flight for Life pilot and severely injured the two flight nurses on board.
Less than a minute after takeoff, the helicopter came crashing down. It caught fire immediately while the three crew members were inside. The pilot, Patrick Mahany, was killed.
"I don't really remember much about that day. I think maybe that's my brain's way of protecting me still," said Dave Repsher, who was a flight nurse on board during the crash. He suffered burns to 90% of his body.
Also on board was flight nurse Matt Bowe, who also survived.
Repsher and dozens of other community members showed up at the scene of the crash, which has since been turned into Mahany Heroes Park. It's right behind CommonSpirit Health St. Anthony Summit Hospital in Frisco.
In such a quiet scenic area, it could be hard to imagine the tragedy that happened there, but it is impossible to forget.
"I knew how severely injured I was and before they sedated me, there was a big question mark of what my future was going to be," said Repsher.
Repsher and his wife eventually joined Mahany's widow to advocate for change in the helicopter industry across the country.
Mahany's death inspired federal legislation requiring all helicopters to have fuel tanks that prevent fires after a crash happens.
"It's important for, obviously, a lot of people in this community, because he was such a strong figure and what he meant. What he meant to the industry and everyone else. I think what they did here and made such a beautiful park, this will live on in perpetuity for his spirit," said Repsher.
