Martin Hartwell, dies at 88

[Blue Yonder]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/pilot-survived ... 47952.html

Pilot who survived 1972 Arctic medevac crash dies at 88

A pilot who survived 31 days in the Arctic after a November 1972 plane crash died Tuesday.

Martin Hartwell, the sole survivor of the crash to be rescued, was 88.

Hartwell was piloting a medevac plane from Cambridge Bay to Yellowknife carrying a nurse and two patients when it crashed near Hottah Lake, south of Great Bear Lake, about 300 kilometres north of Yellowknife.

Two of the three passengers died of injuries sustained in the crash.

Hartwell and 14-year-old David Kootook survived, enduring temperatures close to -40 while waiting to be rescued.

Hartwell suffered broken bones and said the boy helped keep him alive by building a fire and shelter. Hartwell resorted to eating flesh from one of the dead passengers, but said Kootook abstained.

Kootook died about a week before help arrived.

Hartwell’s story was immortalized in a song by Stompin' Tom Connors called the "The Martin Hartwell Story."

[slowstream]

Boy I remember that saga like it was last year, such a sad story and an extreme ordeal to survive

Martin you had more than your share of stormy skies; I wish you clear skies, calm winds and God Speed!

[xsbank]

Yes, me too. If I remember correctly, his son is an aviator - my condolences for your loss.

[MacStork]

I remember meeting Martin Hartwell a few times after this epic survival experience. He was a nice man ...... gentle, wise and determined to carry on. Not many of us could have survived in those conditions. In a way he became an integral part of our Canadian aviation history and folk lore. Rest in peace my friend ..... my condolences to your family and friends.

[Old fella]

I certainly remember that time for sure and indeed.

RIP Mr. Hartwell

[oldtimer]

I remember Martin well. He was then known as Leopold Herman. I first met him when he was working as a fishing guide/camp manager for the late Hank Parsons. After seasons end, he moved to Flin Flon where he flew a Cessna 180 for the former Parsons Airways Northern LTD. A nice guy, tough as all get out when it came to enduring winter weather, strong as an ox but a gentle man. Spent most of the winter living in a Volkswagen Micro bus. The last time I saw Martin, he was second dickey on a Bristol for Wardair. Came across him in Norman Wells one day. Sad to here he passed.

[Indanao]

http://www.nnsl.com/frames/newspapers/2 ... 2camp.html

[URC]

Anyone know if the aircraft, or what was left of it, was recovered and moved from the crash site, or is the wreckage of the Beech-18 still located there ?

[Nordyne Herder]

I knew Martin well (Leo Herman) from my days flying for Hank Parsons (Parsons Airways Northern)

Like others have said he was a hard worker with a warm heart... So long my friend... God's speed.

NH...

[flyboy8035]

My condolences to the family. I didn't know his son is a pilot. Back in the late 80's I landed at the crash site and have the left hand pilot yoke as well as photos of the crash if any members of the family is interested in them. I would gladly give the yoke to his son.