As the Lake Tahoe community comes to grips wth the loss of Chris Andersen of Stateline, his brother Ric is sharing a fundraiser for the family of Miles Elliott, the second pilot on board a Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter that crashed on August 7 in Utah. Elliott and Andersen were supporting firefighting operations on the 100,000-acre Widemouth 2 Fire. Both skilled pilots tragically lost their lives while working the fire under an exclusive-use contract with the U.S. Forest Service.
Ric Andersen said his brother Chris would have wanted the community to support Miles’ wife and seven-year-old son.
Flags are flying at half-staff in Porterville, Calif., Miles’ hometown.
On GoFundMe, the author states Miles, 50, was much more than a skilled pilot – he was a devoted husband to Briana, a loving father to their son, Truxton, a local small-business owner, talented photographer, mentor, entrepreneur, and a friend to so many.
Miles lived his life with curiosity, passion, intelligence, and an incredible desire to help others. He took tremendous pride in his family and his hometown. Through his involvement with Little League and the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles Flights Program, he shared his time, talents, and love of aviation with others—especially young people.
Miles spent his life serving others and making a difference in the lives of those around him. Now, Briana and Truxton are facing a future they never imagined having to navigate without him.
This GoFundMe has been created to surround Briana and Truxton with the love and support of their family, friends, flying community, firefighting community, and the many people whose lives Miles touched.
The financial challenges that follow a sudden and devastating loss can be overwhelming.
“Miles may no longer be with us, but the impact he made, the lives he touched, and the love he gave will live on,” says the fundraiser.
To donate or to find out more information, visit HERE.
