As reported by al.com, documentary filmmakers Andrew Wight and Mike deGruy were killed this past weekend in Australia when a helicopter malfunctioned during take-off.
A excerpt from a Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival newsletter puts the measure of grief into better words than we can. Scroll to the bottom for ways to honor the memory of Mike deGruy.
We grow closer in times of shared sadness, and this week the international documentary film community grieves the devastating loss of two well-loved and deeply respected colleagues.
Andrew Wight, known to his friends as Wighty, and Mike deGruy were working on a film for James Cameron and National Geographic when they were killed this past weekend in Australia. Details about their helicopter crash are incomplete, but news reports suggest some kind of malfunction at take-off. Wighty and Mike were brilliant storytellers, remarkable colleagues, loving husbands & parents, fearless explorers and good friends who will be deeply missed.
Services for Andrew will be held near Melbourne. More details will be available in the next few days.
A celebration of Mike's life is planned for Sunday, February 12th in Santa Barbara. His website is the source for information. Please consider posting a thought, memory, poem, or other gesture there for Mike and his family.
If you would like to make a contribution in Mike's memory, please consider:
Santa Barbara Middle School
Heal the Oceans
Mobile Baykeepers