Hersman Credits Public Safety For Saving A Life

The National Transportation Safety Board recognized the City of Lexington for their actions as first responders to the August 28, 2006 crash of Comair Flight 5191.

NTSB board member Deborah Hersman a made a special trip to the Kentucky city on November 2, to honor the city’s public service responders.

Hersman said it was the first time the board has recognized a community for its work in responding to a crash scene, according to WTVQ-36.

Accepting a plaque from Hersman on behalf of the City of Lexington was Mayor Jim Newberry. The Lexington Police and Fire Departments, Blue Grass Airport (LEX) Police, and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, as well as state coroners, were also honored.

Hersman credited Lexington’s public safety departments for their professionalism, communication and organization during the response.

"The way Lexington's first responders came together was unlike any other community they've ever seen," Hersman said.

"I've seen a lot of accident scenes and I can't recall in the time that I've been at the board, any scene that was handled more professionally or selflessly than the work that was done here in Lexington," she added.

Hersman went on to credit the departments for saving a life, but also for preserving evidence and the crash scene for NTSB investigations. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov, www.lfucg.com/