Honorees

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Year Honored
2006
Honoree
Timothy Russell Benway
Agency
Yampa Valley Medical Center
Agency City
Steamboat Springs
Agency State
CO
Last Call
1/11/05
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
"Passionate" best describes this man. His love of flight and service to others made him a standout individual. He grew up in the mountains and was a complete outdoorsman. He had great respect for the area, the mountains he flew in, and the people that he lived among.<br /> <br /> Timothy Russell Benway, 35, was killed in an aero medical crash January 11, 2005. Mr. Benway was one of a team of four that was transporting a patient from Carbon County to Wyoming Medical Center. The plane crashed in a light snow on a rough, snow-covered prairie, sliding about 300 yards before stopping. Mr. Benway called for help by cell phone; an air and land search began immediately. The crash was located four hours later. Tim was taken to Poudre Valley Hospital in critical condition where he died from his injuries. The accident also took the lives of two flight nurses, and a fourth occupant, a flight paramedic, was severely injured.<br /> <br /> Mr. Benway had been an emergency medical worker with Yampa Valley Medical Center since 2003. Mountain Flight Services, owner of the plan, ran medical calls for Yampa Valley Medical Center. Tim had previously worked with Lake Meade Air in Boulder City, Nevada, and for the air flight industry, finishing with Key Lime Air. Timothy had logged in close to 5,000 hours of pilot-in-command time, with most of this time in the mountains.<br /> <br /> "All of us at Yampa Valley Medical Center are deeply saddened and shocked at this tragic loss," said Karl Gillis, CEO of the Center. "All of those aboard are committed to providing extraordinary care to sick and injured patients. Our entire organization and those who worked with the air ambulance program have been impacted."<br /> <br /> Honored 2006