CHAPMANVILLE, W.Va. — Family members say one of the victims of this week’s helicopter crash in Logan County had wanted to ride the Huey chopper for several years and finally got his chance.
According to his son, Marvin Bledsoe of Chapmanville, known to many as “Bosco” was among the six victims who were killed when the Vietnam vintage helicopter crashed along Route 17 at Kelly Hollow close to Blair Mountain. Brian Bledsoe posted on Facebook his dad had been trying for a long time to catch a ride on one of the flights.
“They have been doing it for the last several years. Dad had wanted to ride it for the last few years but something always came up, he was too late, he wasn’t able to stand in line or something. Well today him and his good friend finally got on it. Only something happened on the ride and he didn’t make it back,” he posted.
The younger Bledsoe did not indicate who the friend was who was also on board. Even he had gotten a chance to ride the Huey in the past and watched it fly over many times during previous years of the Huey reunion.
“I have watched this helicopter for years upon years fly as I work close by. Never once did I ever think of this. We have even flown on it ourselves. I do not know what went wrong as these pilots were some of the best of the best.,” he wrote.
Brian concluded his post asking for prayers for his family, the family of his dad’s friend, and for all of those tied to the individuals killed in the crash.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” he wrote.