Blackhawk Crew Saves 7, Humble About Experience
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GRAND PRAIRE (CBSDFW.COM) - Hailed as heroes, the Blackhawk chopper crew responsible for saving seven people's lives, including a pregnant woman, during Sunday's flooding in Krum said they were simply doing their job.
"We were just the people there when it happened," said pilot Matthew Reynolds.
Three Texas National Guardsmen and two 2 civilian rescuers from Texas Task force 1 made up the crew.
Known at 'swimmers', the crew is trained in helicopter rescues and extrication. They train monthly for exactly the type of emergency scenario thy responded to.
Sgt. Andrew Harrelson who serves as the crew chief and mans the hoist said he remembers "Looking out seeing all that water flowing I just thought there could be a lot of people in need," about the moment the helicopter made it over the flooded neighborhoods.
Their mission was all seen on video shot from Chopper 11. It showed as one-by-one the crew rescued elderly women first, then a pregnant woman and baby, and finally a pair of teens who were left sitting on the top of their pick up with rushing water all around.
Wayne Twiner, a swimmer assigned to the crew said "I'm very very grateful that we were able to provide a safe haven for those victims."
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