An update of the authorities after a military helicopter collided with an American Airlines plane, killing everyone on the two planes.
Heidi Snow Cinder knows too well the deep pain that you feel to lose a loved one in a plane crash. After the death of her fiancé when TWA Flight 800 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in 1996, she developed a mourning support network in the event of a air disaster to help others that have been faced with similar losses.
Thanks to its non -profit services, the emotional support services of aircraft victims or, Access, Cinader helped facilitate the mourning process for people who have been affected or involved in tragedies related to air disasters. For decades, its charity has connected those who have survived or lost dear beings in air disasters with volunteers formed by professionals who have experienced similar tragedies over the past years.
As Cinader and his group of volunteers saw the debris of American Airlines’ plane in the Potomac river after he collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter, that brought them back to the time when their Life was “changed in an instant,” cinader told Fox Business.
American Airlines, army helicopter collided outside Reagan National Airport near Washington DC
“In our organization, we have the little enviable references to have lost Those in our disasters. And all of these incredible people have come up over the years from general aviation accidents, commercial and military air accidents to really come forward to help other people cross their sorrow, “said cinader.
Many people who are mourning mentors have now contacted to help themselves. A few years after their own loss, they have become eligible for training and became mourning mentors, providing support to others.
Emergency intervention units assess the plane wreck in the Potomac river near Ronald Reagan Washington airport on January 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. (Images Andrew Harnik / Getty / Getty Images)
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Several of the volunteers contacted after the accident on Wednesday, “asking how they can help and let me know that they are calling, and they are ready,” she said.
A group of access volunteers, who help facilitate the mourning process of people who have been affected or involved in tragedies related to air disasters. (Jeff Bayer)
According to Cinader, these individuals are among the rare who really understand the pain of waiting to learn what caused the aircraft, while waiting for the recovery of the bodies and be submerged by constant media coverage.
In addition to the support of mourning, the non -profit organization also helps people in crisis to become aware of the resources at their disposal.
“Thanks to the access support system and reference services, we help individuals to overcome the feelings of despair, isolation, despair and confusion that often follow an air disaster,” said the website.
“We help minimize the risk of symptoms of post-traumatic stress, long-term depression, family difficulties or an inability to function socially or at work.”
A helicopter flies near the site of the American Airlines plane accident on the Potomac river after the plane crashed as Reagan National Airport approaches. (Photo of Andrew Harnik / Getty Images / Getty Images)
The goal is to help people “gain renewed strength, hope and goal”.
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The non -profit organization seeks to support people not only in the moments after an air disaster, but for the rest of their lives. This includes major life events such as birthdays and moments that people remarry.
Finding someone else who knows “how to live a long -term life” is really a big piece of what the organization does, said cinader.
“I remember so well … when I needed someone to be with me for what was put forward,” said cinader.
