Helicopter Pilot Revived After Crash in Icy Water
The pilot of a TV helicopter that crashed in icy water was revived after his heart had stopped beating for up to 45 minutes, said doctors.
Peter Peelgrane’s body temperature was 71.6 degrees--normal is 98.6--when he was taken into the emergency room at Poudre Valley Hospital, spokesman Mike Vogl said.
Doctors said the cold water probably saved his life by effectively refrigerating his body. “If this were a summer day and the water was warm, we wouldn’t even try,” Dr. Mark Guadagnoli said.
The 46-year-old pilot was in critical condition Thursday but his heart was beating normally.
The Bell 206L-3 helicopter, owned by Denver station KUSA-TV, crashed Wednesday into the ice-covered Horsetooth Reservoir, just west of Ft. Collins, in heavy fog. The pilot was flying to Ft. Collins, about 60 miles north of Denver, for scheduled maintenance, station officials said.
Sonar located at least two bodies at the bottom of the reservoir. Authorities did not know whether there were two or three passengers aboard.
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