A beloved Colorado doctor who also worked as a trapeze artist has been found dead alongside his 3-year-old daughter. As reported by the New York Post, they were found in the wreckage of his plane following a crash.
Aaron Gingrich was a professor in emergency medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz. He also performed with a Switzerland-based trapeze group named the Apesanteur Trapéze Volant. The 43-year-old was reportedly "flying erratically" around Colorado for three hours prior to the tragic crash.
Reports from the National Transit Safety Board explained that his flight trajectory had varied wildly. He had reached heights of over 15,000 feet and lower than 7,400 feet above sea level prior to the deadly crash.
Prior to his crash, several pilots had scolded him for his "dangerous takeoff", per audio recordings. "Hey Two Gulf Lima," one pilot said, "thanks so much for cutting us off in the traffic pattern. Appreciate it."
The pilot added, "We also have someone up, upwind, 2-9, who's being really dangerous and put us off in pattern. So we're just getting out of here."
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The Crashed Plane Was Found After a Day of Searching
The National Transit Safety Board later reported that the plane had "crashed into rising terrain about 300 ft below a ridgeline".
The wreckage of the plane was found at around 10:00 am the day after it had crashed. It was found around 4 miles from Mountain View Fire Rescue Station Nine, at an elevation between 6,500 and 7,500 feet.
The cause of the crash, or why he was reportedly flying erratically, has yet to be established. There is also currently no explanation as to why his daughter, Isabella, was also present on the plane.
The trapeze group Gingrich performed with posted a touching tribute to him following his passing. "Your positive energy, your kindness, your beautiful way of sharing smiles, laughter and music will be remembered," they wrote.
"Thank you, you will be deeply missed. We hope you're flying and doing flips wherever you are now."
A fundraiser also paid tribute to the doctor whilst also seeking to support the mother of Isabella. She was named as Lauren Wilcox. "Our hearts are broken for Lauren as she faces the unimaginable pain of losing her little girl," it read.
