Any info on the Russian aerobatic pilot who was recently injured while practicing for an airshow in Japan? Steve

• RE: Alexander Krotov - How's he doing?,snaffle, 23:33z, 02-02-04

Message:
Many of you may have seen the video footage on the news of the Russian
pilot who crashed at the Tokyo Air Games recently. The pilot, Alexander
Krotov, was badly injured and will have to remain in the Tokyo hospital
for at least another month.

Lena Melnikova, the Russian interpreter who accompanied their team to
the World Championships in Florida earlier this year, wrote the
following describing Alexander’s situation:

Hi Charlie,
The guys came back from Japan only late last night. I spoke to Viktor
but only briefly.
It is said that Alexander's life is not in danger, but he's badly hurt,
so he won't be transpotable at least for a month. His wife flew there
yesterday to be with him. I can't imagine them both staying there - in a
foreign country, no support from friends, no knowledge of language...
It also seems like they gonna have some financial problems since they
all were not properly insured.
Everything that happened is terrible. It's a blessing he is alive.
That's all I know for now. If I manage to drag something else out of Vik
or Svetlana I'll let you know.
All my best to you and your wife.
Lena

Any of you who have met Alexander at the worlds, nationals or other
contests he has flown here know what a great guy he is, as all of the
Russians seem to be. He’s in a jam now, as the Russian pilots are not
paid very much, have little or no insurance, and don’t make anything if
they can’t fly.

I’m trying to raise some cash to send over to them to help through a
very difficult time, and I’m writing to you to ask for your help. Any
amount will be appreciated and will provide more help than most of us
understand.

Charlie Wolf started this with a contribution of $1000.00
I’m going to put in $500.00.

I hope you’ll decide to help as you can.

Please, take out that checkbook and write a check for an amount you’re
comfortable with to:

Alexander Krotov Assistance Account
% Hubie Tolson
304 Johnson Street
New Bern, NC 28560

If you send a check, please let me know with a response to this message,
so I can be sure I get it before I send the funds overseas. I’d like to
send this to him next week.

I will forward the funds to Lena to ensure all goes to Alex’s benefit.

Thanks,

Hubie Tolson