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Article updated: 10/14/2011 2:52 PM

First responders recollect chilling visions of Flight 191 crash

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Paul Marcotte, a Daily Herald police reporter in 1979, gets a bit emotional at his memories of responding to the crash of American Airlines Flight 191 leaving O'Hare International Airport.

Mark Black | Staff Photographer

Retired Des Plaines Fire Chief Tom Farinella was among the first responders to the American Airlines Flight 191 crash on May 25, 1979.

MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY | Staff Photographer

Dr. John Kenney of Park Ridge was among a team of 30 forensic dentists tapped to identify the 273 victims of the American Airlines Flight 191 crash on May 25, 1979. American Airlines awarded Kenney the eagle statue for his work identifying the victims of plane crashes.

MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY | Staff Photographer

Dr. John Kenney of Park Ridge was among a team of 30 forensic dentists tapped to identify the 273 victims. American Airlines awarded Kenney the eagle statue for his work.

MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY | Staff Photographer

Paul Marcotte, a Daily Herald police reporter in 1979, gets a bit emotional as he remembers covering the crash.

Mark Black | Staff Photographer

About this Article

A memorial will be dedicated this Saturday in Des Plaines to victims of the worst aviation disaster in United States' history. The first responders had to put emotions on hold until much later, when they had time to grieve. Then, “I broke down and I cried for about an hour,” a Park Ridge forensic dentist said.

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    • Paul Marcotte, a Daily Herald police reporter in 1979, gets a bit emotional at his memories of responding to the crash of American Airlines Flight 191 leaving O'Hare International Airport.
    • Retired Des Plaines Fire Chief Tom Farinella was among the first responders to the American Airlines Flight 191 crash on May 25, 1979.
    • Dr. John Kenney of Park Ridge was among a team of 30 forensic dentists tapped to identify the 273 victims of the American Airlines Flight 191 crash on May 25, 1979. American Airlines awarded Kenney the eagle statue for his work identifying the victims of plane crashes.
    • Dr. John Kenney of Park Ridge was among a team of 30 forensic dentists tapped to identify the 273 victims. American Airlines awarded Kenney the eagle statue for his work.
    • Paul Marcotte, a Daily Herald police reporter in 1979, gets a bit emotional as he remembers covering the crash.
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