Wing Walker Dies After Failed Stunt
MT. CLEMENS (WWJ) - An investigation is underway after a stunt wing walker died in a terrible accident at the annual Selfridge National Airshow.
Todd Green, a wing walker and Michigan native, fell 200 feet to the ground as he attempted to transfer from a Stearman biplane to a helicopter as part of the show Sunday afternoon.
Rachel Hardwick, who was working the event, was among the 75,000 people at the show who watched in horror.
"My heart kinda sank for this one little girl; she was probably ... no older than 6, and she saw the guy fall and hit the ground, and she just immediately turned to her mom and started crying. So, I mean, it was pretty intense," Hardwick said.
While the winds were strong on Sunday, officials said Green performed the stunt flawlessly on the day before in similar weather conditions. Selfridge officials are now working with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Traffic Safety Board to investigate the accident.
Following the accident, thousands of people sat in stunned silence; many of them praying together, before word of Green's condition. Some were crying after seeing him fall while trying to cross from the biplane to the helicopter.
Amateur video of Green's tragic death has been posted on You Tube. That has created a controversy involving people who say that kind of video -- the tragic real-life death of someone -- should not be posted there.
Todd Green Remembered
Todd Green was a Michigan native, who had been performing aerial stunts for more than 25 years.
His dad -- also an aerial stuntman -- was Eddie "The Grip" Green, who is in the aerial hall of fame.
Green had more than 25 years of aerial acrobatics experience. He leaves behind his wife, Dawn; his son, Tyler; and a stepson, Derek. Green liked playing cards, snowmobiling and riding his motorcycle.
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