First responders and others who helped rescue and recover victims of the May 13 mid-air floatplane collision in Ketchikan’s George Inlet area were honored Monday by the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly.
Before reading a proclamation, Mayor David Landis said the tragic accident was a blow to the whole community, but it also showed ways the community is unified.
Six people died in the crash and 10 survived. The proclamation specifically names good Samaritans Chuck Hanas and Colleen Nesbit.
South Tongass Fire Chief Steve Rydeen accepted the proclamation, and told the assembly that Hanas is the reason there were survivors.
“The true hero is Chuck Hanas, who saved 10 lives that day,” Rydeen said.
He said it was difficult for all the responders. But, he said, everyone knew what to do because they had trained for it.