Tragedy has a way of bringing people together. But Nephi, like most small, rural communities, is already a pretty tight-knit place, and residents say they've had all the tightening up they want.
Still, residents came together Friday as word spread through the Juab County community that three employees of one of the city's largest employers were killed in an airplane crash Thursday night in New Mexico.The deaths were the third major tragedy to strike the city in the past three months.
"Right when everything seems to be getting back to normal, another catastrophic thing happens," said Nephi resident John Fillmore. "Things are pretty somber around here, and people are just asking themselves, `Why us again?' "
Killed were Mid-State Consultant Inc. employees Stephen Lind, 42, Nephi; Scott Jorgensen, 35, Salem; and Doug Estep, 52, Tre-mon-ton. Lind was one of five owners of the telecommunications engineering firm. Jorgensen was one of the company's two pilots that flew workers to jobs around the country.
Mid-State spokeswoman Susan Creer said the three employees, Lind's wife, Diane, the couple's 14-year-old son and a teenage friend flew out of Nephi Thursday morning in the company's six-passenger, twin-engine plane en route to a bid opening later that day in Silver City, N.M.
Before landing in New Mexico, however, the plane stopped in Mesa, Ariz., and dropped off Lind's wife and the two teens so they could visit with friends.
After the bid opening, the plane carrying the three employees took off in snowy and windy weather from Silver City/Grant County Airport about 6:30 p.m. They planned to stop in Arizona and pick up the other three passengers before returning to Utah.
About 40 miles from Silver City, however, Jorgensen reported the plane was having engine trouble, and he opted to turn back.
At about 6:50 p.m. the Beech-craft Duke crashed during an emergency landing about one-half mile east of the airport.
Federal Aviation Administration officials say Jorgensen reported losing an engine about 20 minutes before the crash. Fire crews on the ground claimed to see flames trailing the aircraft as it approached the landing field. FAA investigators are still probing the wreckage and haven't determined a cause.
The crash comes on the heels of two other accidents that claimed the lives of three other Juab County residents.
In October, Nephi Utah Highway Patrol trooper Randy Ingram was killed when a semitrailer truck plowed into the back of his parked patrol car on I-15.
In November, Juab High School seniors Tiffany JaNae Taylor and Raymond Leo Newton were killed when their car was struck broadside by a train during a school lunch break. The train accident happened right outside Mid-State's front window.
With the other accidents fresh in their minds, Juab County residents and Mid-State employees spent Friday mourning the deaths of their friends and fellow employees.
"As a company we'll go on, but we've suffered a great personal loss of three good friends," Creer said. "People are pretty close around here, and a lot of tears have been shed since yesterday."
Since moving to Nephi from Springville four years ago, Mid-State has garnered the respect of Juab County residents because of the company's endless community contributions. The company has more than 200 employees, about 80 of whom reside in Nephi. Residents say the company is always willing to help with city events and sponsor various activities.
"They're pretty generous folks out there," Fillmore said.
In 1993, Mid-State partners Lind, Steven Kidd, Bruce Lovejoy, Bill Westfall and Terry Brown formed Mt. Nebo Aviation, a sister company to Mid-State. The aviation company signed a lease to operate and refurbish the Nephi City Airport. Just Tuesday, Mt. Nebo Aviation owners invited Nephi officials to the airport to view the new $100,000 hangar the company constructed.
"If we have a good airport, it will attract even more industry," a proud Lind told Nephi officials Tuesday.
Lind was especially well-respected because of his community pride and involvement in civic activities. When a group of Russian students visited the Juab School District last spring, Lind organized a four-wheel recreation vehicle trip for them. He provided food, the vehicles and his own time.
"I don't think there is anybody in this city that doesn't know him," Mid-State executive secretary Nancy Julian said.
Lind, a native of Burley, Idaho, is survived by his wife and four sons, ages 17, 14, 12 and 6. Jorgensen leaves behind his wife, Brenda, and three sons, ages 12, 9 and 7. Estep is survived by his wife, Myrna, of Tremonton.