Fellow Paramedics Deck the Halls for EagleMed Crash Survivor

Jon Jordan, News 9

KINGFISHER, Oklahoma -- It's been four months since an EagleMed helicopter crashed, killing two and severely injuring a third person. Now, paramedic Mike Eccard, the sole survivor of the crash, continues to recover from his injuries.

"I had a L1 burst fracture in my back, my foot was broken in half and dislocated. All the ribs on my right, collapsed lung was probably the most life threatening," said Eccard.

Had it not been for the Kingfisher Fire Department and the first responders like paramedic and long-time friend Wayland Thomas, Eccard might not be alive today.

Thomas and those who saved him pitched in to help Eccard get into the holiday spirit by decking his home with Christmas lights since his injuries prevent him from putting lights up.

"We've all known Mike for quite a few years and we call him our friend. And we just wanted to help him out. Just as simple as that," said Thomas.

"We thought it would be a good thing to come over to help him," said Ryan Gibson.

Gibson was one of the first to find Eccard after the crash, the same man who not long before taught Gibson everything he knew.

"He was in pretty bad condition. It was hard seeing him like that…Knowing he taught me to do, what I was supposed to do to him. It was hard," said Gibson.

"I don't think I have the words to show my appreciation," said Eccard. "It's not just the Christmas lights and the benefit, it's emails and phone calls and texts and if I'm having a bad day it's just inevitable one of these guys will call and say ‘How you doing?'"

Eccard is continuing a slow recovery. So far he has had a number of procedures and close to 10 surgeries with more to come.

"This community is just so close knit, the air medical industry, the EMS and fire, so they mean a lot to me," said Eccard.

The Kingfisher Firefighters are hosting a benefit dinner for him on Saturday, December 4 starting at 12:30 p.m. The benefit will be in the Old Women's Building at the fairgrounds and will include hamburgers, hotdogs and live entertainment. They are accepting donations.

More:

• Friend, Family, Medical Community Mourn Loss of EagleMed Crash Victims
• 2 Dead, 1 Injured in Medical Helicopter Crash
• Officials Look at 'Man, Machine, Environment' to Determine Cause of EagleMed Crash
• EagleMed Officials Say They Hope to Learn from Crash