UPDATE: Benefits set for local nurse injured in helicopter crash

DURANT, OK -- Friends and family of a local nurse who was critically injured in this week's medical helicopter crash are coming together to help her, and are asking for the community's support.

Loving, energetic and always smiling, that is how one friend describes Tosha Whitmire, the flight nurse who is recovering from the helicopter accident in Talihina. They say although there is a lot of healing ahead, they're confident she'll make it through this tragedy.

This was the scene Tuesday night, after an EagleMed helicopter en route to Tulsa crashed about 20 yards from the Choctaw Nation Health Care Center in Talihina. The crashed killed 49-year-old Michael David Wilson of Bethel, and critically injured flight nurse and Coleman native Tosha Whitmire.

"She is one of those people that was always there helping others. That's why she went into the nursing profession," friend Christy McDonald said.

Whitmire graduated from Coleman High School in 2003, then graduated from nursing school at ECU in Ada. Whitemire recently took the job with EagleMed, and still works part time as a nurse at MCSO in Durant. She remains in a Tulsa hospital.

"She is still in a critical point in her recovery. They still need lots of support, lots of prayers. But she is stable at this point. She has a long ways to go but she's a fighter," McDonald said.

While Whitmire heals her friends and family are doing what they can to help her along the way.

"72 hours ago she was on her way to do her job, to help someone else. And now it's our turn you know, to give back to her," McDonald said.

There will be a benefit dinner and silent auction at the Community Center in Coleman on Sunday, June 23 from 11 to 3 p.m.

If you'd like to make a donation for Whitmire's medical expenses, a fund is set up at all Landmark Bank locations. Donations should be given as "For the Benefit of Tosha Whitmire".

You can also drop off donations or items to be auctioned at the benefit dinner to Ma and Pa's Grocery in Coleman, the Calera Police Department or Open MRI in Durant.

A poker run will also be held on July 13. Bike registration begins at 10 a.m. at Sports City in Durant.

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