BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — There is no question that Western New York is a resilient place. This community has faced tragedy and heartache time and time again. But through tragedy has also come change.
7 News Senior Reporter Michael Wooten recently brought together six families who know firsthand the pain of experiencing sudden loss. For the first time, family members who lost loved ones in the crash of Flight 3407 sat down with those who lost family members in the May 14 mass shooting, and with parents who lost children in falls at Zoar Valley.
What followed was a very emotional and inspiring conversation about coping with tremendous loss, and advocating for change - at the local, state and federal levels - to make our skies and our communities safer for all of us.
"My name is Garnell Whitfield. I am the eldest son of Mrs. Ruth Whitfield who was murdered on May 14, 2022, in the Tops massacre."
"My name is Pamela Pritchett. My mother was Pearl Young and she was one of the people who was murdered at the Tops massacre on May 14."
"My name's Marla Walker and my daughter Brooke Walker lost her life at Zoar Valley on August 22, 2020."
"My name is Marybeth Long. My son Connor Long died in 2018 and lost his life at Zoar Valley."
"My name is Karen Eckert and I lost my sister Beverly Eckert in the crash of flight 3407 in Clarence, New York on February 12, 2009."
"My name is John Kausner. I lost my youngest daughter, Elly. She was 24 years old at the 3407 crash on Long Street."
"I am Elly's mother, Marilyn Kausner, and we lived just a mile away from where the plane crashed."
Voices: Tragedy. Hope. Change. will re-air on Friday, October 18 at 5 p.m.
