Fairview neighbors 'choose kindness' after plane crash

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FAIRVIEW, Ore. (KOIN) — When a Cessna 421C plummeted from the sky Saturday morning and crashed into a row of townhouses in Fairview, emergency responders rushed to the scene and worked tirelessly under intense conditions.

But residents in that neighborhood also stepped up with quick, compassionate support.

In the immediate aftermath of the crash around 10:20 a.m. August 31, Michael Angelechio and his family rushed out of their house, just five doors from the crash site. They were rushing to safety since they didn’t know if their house was damaged.

Other neighbors quickly offered up their shoes and baby food to help his family until they could get back to their house.

“You see, wow, there are a lot of people ready to help,” Angelechio said.

Neighbors continued to step up their support to include the first responders and investigators.

The Gallagher family is still trying to track down the officer who put out a fire in their backyard, caused by the crash and explosion.

“Just want to give him a hug and a thank you, ‘Hey, Bud, I can’t tell you how much we appreciate you,” Doug Gallagher said.

If they can’t say thanks to one, they’re trying to say thanks to all. The Gallaghers set up a table outside their home for the first responders and investigators working around the clock.

“Sometimes it may be as easy as a chair to sit down and a cold glass of water,” he told KOIN 6 News.

Others in the neighborhood quickly donated to the cause, driven by an urge to give back to those who risked so much to help.

“Seeing the heat from the jet fuel is just unlike anything I could ever describe, and seeing these firefighters go in and almost cycle thru because it’s just so hot, they’re getting hosed down, ice down their necks and that was the response from the community,” Angelechio said. “They’re trying to help us. We need to do what we can to help them.”

Kind gestures and warm words can turn chaos into a shared story of hope — and a real-life lesson in what it means to be a good neighbor.

“If you have the choice, choose kindness. This is a tough situation,” Gallagher said. “If you have an opportunity to help somebody out, to be kind, to help somebody through a difficult situation, just do it. You’ll never regret it.”

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Anthony Kustura

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