COLUMBUS, Ohio — Timothy Gifford was a former firefighter, an educator and a father. To Monica Durban, he’s her hero.
“In the last minute of his life I’m sure he was thinking about everyone else,” she said. “He is a true hero a selfless hero,” said Durban.
Durban and Gifford’s friendship started years ago from a tragedy.
On Jan. 27, 2008, Durban was seriously injured in a car crash, where her life nearly ended. Gifford was one of the responding Columbus Firefighters on the scene.
“Because of this man, I am alive,” said Durban.
In 2016, the two reunited and she thanked him so many years later.
He’s, her hero. And sadly, he died.
Tuesday morning, Gifford and Eric Seevers were flying in a small plane. The two left from John Glenn Columbus International Airport at 6:40, headed to Parkersburg, West Virginia.
The plane crashed in Marietta just after 7 a.m. into the Pioneer Buick GMA dealership.
When Durban heard the news, she said her heart shattered.
“Like oh no God…of all the people in the world, why did he have to be the one that died,” said Durban.
Durban’s father, Lee, said he’s forever thankful for Gifford.
“He not only was a shining light, but he made Monica feel like a shining light always treating her as a friend, not as a....a victim,” he said.
Durban said the last time the two saw each other was two years ago.
"Obviously I’ll never forget that man...my heart is with his family right now,” said Durban.