Honorees

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Year Honored
2001
Honoree
Alicia B Collins
Agency
Bayflite
Agency City
St Petersburg
Agency State
FL
Last Call
4/25/00
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
They were the ones who battled time, ambassadors of hope clothed in gray flight suits and equipped with the expertise needed to sustain life for the critical fight to the emergency room. The Golden Hour was one of promise, with each efficient, rehearsed movement bringing badly injured patients one second closer to life.<br /> <br /> Bayflite 3 crashed into a radio transmission tower on April 25, 2000 at midday in clear, sunny weather. As of this writing the investigation into the crash is ongoing.<br /> <br /> One of the three air angels to die was Alicia Collins. Alicia was known as "Gabby" for her enthusiastic chatter and bubbly persona. She had a sense of humor and would joke that she always wore matching undergarments in case of a crash. Her signature trademark was her big smile and stylish black ponytail. These young women lived each day to help others. She was passionate and benevolent, dedicated to the hospital and the team. She was the mother of two who always placed people first. One friend stated "if you met her for 30 seconds, you loved her."<br /> <br /> Ms. Collins, 51, was a full-time flight nurse at Bayflite 3 and a Major in the Air Force Reserves, who had served her country in Operation Desert Storm. She loved her job and kept flying despite the death of her husband in a helicopter crash. Her children must be proud to have a mother with such distinction, and to be honored by so many of her peers.<br /> <br /> Alicia Betita-Collins is survived a daughter Felicia Biddles, a son Christopher Biddles, her parents Benny and Lilia Betita, two sisters Luisa Maher and Lita Hickey.<br /> <br /> Honored 2001