In Memorium - One Year Ago:

University Hospital's Cleveland MedEvac Flight Crew crashes, 2 lost

By Capt. John Blauch, Chardon Fire Dept.

Updated (Jan. 2003) On January 18, 2003, one year will have passed since the untimely death of two of our colleagues, Kelly Conti, RN & Pilot William Spence. It was last year, when the University Hospitals/Stat Med Evac 8 helicopter they were flying in crashed from the roof of University Hospitals of Cleveland. Joe Paoletta, Flight Medic, was seriously burned, however he has recovered, and is back to work. We would like our readers and visitors to remember their ultimate sacrifice, while trying to save the lives of others. All three will always be remembered for their bravery, as well as their dedication to the lives of their patients and families.

Original Article (Jan. 2002): Flight Nurse Kelly Conti, Pilot William Spence, and Flight Medic Joe Paoletta were on a routine trip to transfer a cardiac patient from Lake West Hospital to Cleveland Clinic. However, upon lift off from their headquarters on the Lerner Tower of University Hospitals in Cleveland, their BK-117 helicopter veered right, clipping the tower, sending the chopper plummeting twelve stories to the courtyard below. Lost were Conti & Spence, while Paoletta miraculously bailed out of the wreckage. On fire, he rolled in the snowy grass to put himself out. He is listed in serious, but stable condition at Metro Health Medical Center Burn Center, with a severely broken arm, and burns over 30% of his body

Spence, 51, of Marshallville, was a veteran pilot with a spotless record. He leaves behind a wife and son. He was described as a 'gentle giant', whose son wrote about him as his 'hero', in a recent school essay. His son wrote, "My hero is my Dad. He flies a lifeflight helicopter and saves lives. He is always there for me and helps out on everything in his power. He always tries to give me and the rest of the family his best."

Conti, 38, of Wickliffe, was a veteran flight and critical care nurse since 1985. She leaves behind her husband and two children. She will be remembered by those who knew her as a happy, family-oriented individual. As a pediatric trauma educator, she often lectured and provided continuing education programs for local fire, EMS, and ER personnel. She was known for her ability to make people smile spontaneously, and her love for children. Kelly will be greatly missed by many of us here in the Cleveland area. She is truly an Unsung Hero.

Spence's funeral will be held on Tuesday January 22nd at 11am at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Doylestown. Calling hours for Conti will be 7-9pm Tuesday January 22nd & 2-4pm and 7-9pm Wednesday January 23rd at Orlando-Donsante Funeral Home (29550 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, OH). The funeral mass will be a Our Lady Of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Wickliffe at 9:30 am on Thursday, January 24th, with burial at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon.

Paoletta, a full-time Cleveland Heights fire-medic, is progressing well. He is expected to make a full recovery. Donations for the Conti children can be made to the: Kelly Conti Memorial Fund at any Key Bank.

(Author's Note: I taught Pediatric Advanced Life Support with Kelly on many occasions. She held instructor ratings in every known pediatric emergency course. The world, and especially our children, have lost a guardian angel in Kelly Conti. Her drive to prevent traumatic and accidental childhood injury was a gift, which she gave freely to all those she encountered. I am a better nurse and paramedic after having had the opportunity to be touched by her heart. I will miss you my friend.)

In Memorium - One Year Ago:

University Hospital's Cleveland MedEvac Flight Crew crashes, 2 lost

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