DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) – Dallas firefighters who lost their colleague in a helicopter crash in New York over the weekend gathered at the station Tuesday morning to remember the life of 26-year-old Brian McDaniel.
Daniel Fox worked at Dallas Fire Station 36 and said McDaniel was the type of guy you needed during a dangerous situation.
“You lean on guys around you to be your support base and to help you through these situations and Brian was that type of person,” he said.
Lieutenant Ray Smith said he’s lost sleep over McDaniel’s passing. The team nicknamed him “Goose.”
“Kind of reminded us of Goose on Top Gun. Just a happy go lucky guy. The kind of guy you always like to be around,” said Smith.
Beyond what his colleagues said was a positive disposition, McDaniel was also known for his work ethic and passion for firefighting.
“He was a super guy. When it comes to his performance around here there wasn’t any better,” said fellow firefighter Devin Holt.
McDaniel’s body arrived at DFW Airport shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday and was then escorted along LBJ Freeway to the Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home in Dallas.
He died with his best friend, SMU graduate and journalist 26-year-old Trevor Cadigan. Cadigan had family connections to WFAA TV and spent time there as an intern.
The two were among five people killed while on a sightseeing tour of the city when the helicopter plummeted into the East River.
On Tuesday, the city medical examiner’s office ruled that all 5 passengers died of drowning.
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