Comair Flight 5191
Policeman Jared Deserves one heck of a thanks. Prayers for the familiy members of the lost
By JEFFREY McMURRAY Associated Press Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press
A policeman who reached the burning wreckage of Comair Flight 5191 burned his arms as he pulled the plane's first officer from the broken cockpit, but he couldn't get to anyone else, officials said Sunday. The first officer, James M. Polehinke, was the only survivor of the crash Sunday morning just beyond Lexington's Blue Grass Airport that killed 49 people.
He was taken to University of Kentucky Hospital for lifesaving surgery and was in critical condition.
Lexington Police Officer Bryan Jared and two airport officers, John Sallee and James "Pete" Maupin, reached the wreckage within minutes of the crash, said airport executive director Michael Gobb and Lexington Police Chief Anthony Beatty.
"They approached a burning aircraft to actually pull the first officer out of the broken cockpit," Gobb said. Jared burned both of his arms in the process, he said.
The plane crashed in a field just beyond the airport's shorter, 3,500-foot runway, not typically used by commercial planes. Everyone else aboard the plane died in the fire, Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn said.
Comair President Don Bornhorst confirmed the first officer's identity and said the company had talked with their families. He said Polehinke had been with Comair since 2002.
Last edited by weasil; 29th August 2006 at 20:20.
Reason: Advertising