OFFICE OF LT. GOV. BARBARA O'BRIEN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 9, 2009

CONTACT:

Ellen Dumm, 303 866-6361 (office), 303 829-0194 (cell), ellen.dumm@state.co.us

Lt. Gov. O'Brien Honors Heroes of DIA Crash

Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien gave personal thanks this morning to the Red Cross volunteers and Denver International Airport firefighters for their efforts to save all the passengers onboard Continental flight 1404 on December 20.

"New York has its 'Miracle on the Hudson' and these are the heroes of the 'Miracle on the Plains,'" said Lt. Gov. O'Brien.

Continental flight 1404 was headed for Houston on December 20, 2008 when it skidded off the left side of the runway and caught fire after stopping a half mile later. There were no fatalities among the 110 passengers and five crew members. Thirty eight people suffered injuries.

Firefighters and Red Cross volunteers were quickly on the scene. Today, many of those who responded were at DIA Fire Station #1 to be honored by Lt. Gov. O'Brien. Among them were Red Cross CEO Charley Shimanski and DIA Fire Chief Pat Hynes and mental health counselors who accompanied two passengers who flew to Houston the day after the crash.

"March is Red Cross month. It seems as if we are always grateful for the Red Cross when we have a disaster, but it's important to honor their work in calmer times. The volunteers and the firefighters are truly heroes," said Lt. Gov, O'Brien.