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July 28, 2007
Close to home - The Chopper Crash
By Scott Davis
Debra Martin was confused. "There's another man standing here," she said. She'd been speaking with the Wilson family about a recently deceased aunt. In fact my photographer James Apalategui and I were doing an interview with them about the possibility that the aunt was murdered.
"He didn't belong there," she tells me today about the new man she saw, "and it threw me because I couldn't figure out why he just suddenly approached". The rest of us didn't see him approach. The rest of us didn't see him at all. And now I know why.
It was July 27th at 12:47pm. I know the exact time because James's cell phone began to ring. He silenced it.
Debra continued to talk about the strange man who just showed up. See, she's a medium. She says she speaks to the dead. Marita Wilson, her son Dennis and her mother were there hoping to connect with the aunt's spirit. They believe associates took her life intending to swindle money and property from the family.
If you believe in what mediums do, then you will have no trouble believing that Marita's aunt did indeed speak from the Other Side. Debra gave very specific information about the family. A new haircut with bangs, the color purple, a necklace with a cross on it and the appearance of dragonflies. Marita and her son agreed all of these symbols held significance for the family.
Marita asked if the family should pursue justice in her aunt's death and push for arrests and trial. Debra says that's when the new spirit appeared in the room. With no other explanation at hand, Debra made the assumption that the stranger was there to symbolize new associates at the trial. She suggested that Marita and her son pray for guidance and help if the case goes that far. "I was fumbling for an answer," Debra says now. "I didn't know what to say. I could tell it was a man, and I could tell it was not related to them."
James' phone rang again. He silenced it. It rang again. He left his camera recording and took the phone outside. Then my phone rang. It was the station calling. I left my camera rolling and also went outside. As I hit the door, James burst back in. "We're done," he said. "We've gotta go. Bruce- no, Scott Bowerbank and Jim Cox just crashed."
There were gasps all around and Debra turned on the television. Patti was anchoring through her tears as information was still coming in. She wasn't giving names but we knew. We knew.
James and I packed up the lights, cameras and tapes and said hasty good-byes with a promise to follow up in the coming days. Debra walked us to the door and told me she was sure the unexplained man who appeared during the reading was there for us. "He's here with us. I'm afraid he's passed." She struggled for words. "And the person keeps saying, 'Shit', over and over... like... just 'shit.'"
We left Debra's house and headed straight for the crash scene in Central Phoenix. I considered her words the entire way. I considered what happened. I considered possible answers. And I made up my mind. I needed to call Debra for more. But that would have to wait another day. James and I stayed at the crash site the rest of the day, and like everyone else- we worked through our tears. We had a job to do. A job to bring viewers information; a job to honor our fallen friends: Jim Cox, Scott Bowerbank, Rick Krolak and Craig Smith. I think they were watching us. And I think they still are.
You can reach Debra here.
You can reach me here.
Posted by Scott Davis at July 28, 2007 6:59 PM
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Comments
Holy cow...that's pretty creepy. However, not the least unexpected. I firmly believe that the soul is "absorbed" into a place where only a privileged few can see and/or understand. It's clear that Jim or Scott came to Debra and let her know that they had passed and that YOU were supposed to know.
Posted by: Carol at July 29, 2007 5:27 AM
the lord works in mysterious ways. i believe they were one of the chosen ones, but have no doubt we will be with them some day soon. "heaven" what an awesome place it must be.
Posted by: Anonymous at July 29, 2007 11:22 AM
Thank you so much for your story of your experience when the crash happened. I beleive everything you described. More than that, though, I want to express my condolences to all four of the families of both crews. Like so many I feel like my TV news reporters are part of my family and part of my life, and even tho I live in Michigan, I was devastated when I heard of and then saw the photos of this tragic accident. I lost my 38 year old son two years ago, and I have an understanding what an empty space shows up when a younger or "in-the-prime-of-life" person leaves us. I greatly admire and respect media folks and I send best wishes for safety and health to you all. Judith
Posted by: Judith Wedemeier at July 29, 2007 1:46 PM
WE WILL GREATLY MISS THE CHANNEL 3&15 CREW.....they WERE ALL VERY GREAT-They
WILL BE IN OUR PRAYERS FOREVER.
Posted by: Turner-Family at July 29, 2007 4:43 PM
Suffice to say that what Debra told Scott is believeable in my opinion.
Not to minimize what happened to the 4 newspeople on the two choppers nor the passing of Phoenix Police Officer Cortez later that sad Friday; but, my day was bad as well--------almost as if subconsciously I was 'sensing' worse, much worse getting ready to occur.
RIP
Posted by: Prescott_Bear at July 29, 2007 5:23 PM
As we all wonder why why why did it happen. I watch news 3 24/7 I fill like I knew them as well as the coworkers. They always had a smile on there faces, for us viewers. I fill az family should go off the air on Tues. so they can have time to mourn and say there good-bye to there family, all of us viewers will understand. I know you all want to be together and mourn in private.
My heart goes out to all of you, and the families.
My God Bless You All
Gloria V.
Posted by: Gloria at July 29, 2007 9:41 PM
My heart goes out to all of you that worked with these 4 amazing people. I too lost a coworker a few months back and it was so unexpected. It leaves a void in your daily functions that you would normally be working with them. My advise to everyone effected by this... cry when you need to cry but laugh at all the good times you shared. You will get through this. Time does heal.
Posted by: Theresa at July 30, 2007 9:12 AM
My family is very sad to hear of the passing of Scott & Jim, Craig & Rick. We Love "Az Family @ channel 3" Our prayers are with their families and all of you. We live in San Diego, CA (we do watch online) As a viewer I can say "Channel 3 is Arizona's Familiy"
God Bless You All" -Dora B.
Posted by: Dora at July 30, 2007 10:35 AM
I watch news 3 every time i get a chance and my heart goes out to the families of those who died also to that station it self . My prayers are with you.
Posted by: Charlene at July 30, 2007 12:42 PM
My Heart goes out to all. This has been a great loss. Be strong, smile, laugh. Enjoy the memories and never let them go. Tell your friends and Family how much you love them. We all share in your pain & we will heal. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Remember the Smiles... it will bring one to you!
Posted by: Sherl H. at July 30, 2007 1:18 PM
i was watching the coverage of that police chase, and thinking how incrediably stupid that person on the ground was. i left the room to go back to work when a co-worker told me about the crash. i am deeply saddened by the death of those 4 people. my thoughts and prayers are with their families & friends, also with the t.v stations personal. keep the happy memories alive & they will always be with you in your heart.
Posted by: kim at July 30, 2007 7:47 PM
SCOTT - I LOST MY GRANDMOTHER (SHE WAS MY MOTHER FIGURE) AND I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO NEVER GET OVER IT, INSTAED I LEARNED TO TALK THE SKYS AND KNEW MY ANGEL WAS ALWAYS LISTENING AND HELPING ME, IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS AND I STILL FEEL HER WITH ME. I DID NOT KNOW THESE GUYS PERSONALLY BUT LIVE BY YOUR OH SO REAL PEOPLE NEWS CHANNEL, I FIRST HEARD ABOUT IT ON THE RADIO AND THOUGHT OH MY GOD I HOPE THAT WAS NOT THE CHANNEL 3 CHOPPER, IT SURELY COULD NOT BE, I FLEW HOME TO FIND OUT IT WAS AND WAS GUT WRENCHING SICK, I HAVE BEEN SO SAD FOR ALL OF YOU AND HOPE YOU ALL TAKE THE TIME TO MOURN, REMEMBER WE ARE HUMAN. GOD BLESS YOU AND WATCH FOR ONE THING BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE SERVICE THAT WILL FOREVER REMIND YOU DAILY OF YOUR BEST OF FRIENDS. I WILL BE WATCHING AT HOME.
Posted by: LORRIE at July 31, 2007 8:54 AM
What an interesting story. It probably was one of the chopper men near the medium. It helps us all to realize that life goes on even immediately after death which is good news for those left behind. Condolances to all at Channel 3 and 15 and their loved ones.
Posted by: Diane at July 31, 2007 5:44 PM
our prayers go out to the familys of both Scott and Jim and the channel 3 family. we are sorry to hear of the loss of two great men that brought smiles to everyone around the united states. They will surly be missed!
sincerly,jessica from Snowflake AZ.
Posted by: Jessica at July 31, 2007 11:05 PM
Whoa. Thanks for sharing. It makes it more "real" and hopeful for the rest of us. I personally would like to express how p.o'd I would be if taken unexpectedlly. It's just more "real life" and easy to connect to. We would all be a bit miffed to find out that our death involved others, no matter who's fault it was. Any of this guys would use the "s" word. Thanks for your story. For some odd reason, I liked it the best. And I am a sceptic.
Posted by: Joanie at August 1, 2007 1:15 AM
It's been a couple of days since the crash and I am still numb over the news. As I read all of the comments and follow the stories, I get overwhelmed. I live in Yuma, Az and I watch 3 T.V. every morning, they are like family. I am so Sorry for your loss and I wish there was something I could say to help heal all of you, but I to need healing over this tragedy. God Bless 3 T.V. and all it's family members. Time will heal us all. And God Bless the channel 15 T.V. station as well. My Heart and Prayers go out to all of you.
Posted by: TINA at August 1, 2007 7:56 AM
I believe IT. I had somewhat similar experience back in 2001. My boyfriend showed up at my house about 2 days after his passing. It was late at night, I was asleep in my bed. I "heard" him open the frot door,come up the stairs, into my room. He sat on the bed, it shifted slightly. With his cold leg next to mine, he hugged and held me a while. I finally slept because I thought that his death was terrible dream. But eventually I woke up and jumped up to reality. He must've known how distraught, grief-crazy I was over his death. He came back to comfort me, before heading "HOME". RIP NATE. I believe IT.
Posted by: Charlene at August 2, 2007 12:57 PM
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