A Story of Bravery

As her pilot husband fell unconscious mid-flight in a small Cessna plane, 80-year-old Helen Collins took the controls. It was a brave moment, made all the more incredible by the fact that she's not a licensed pilot and was completely unfamiliar with the plane she was flying – not to mention, the panic she must have been feeling for her husband.

John and Helen Collins (Associated Press Photo)

Despite these challenges, Collins landed the plane safely. But any sense of triumph was quickly overwhelmed by sorrow when her husband, John, didn't pull through. He died shortly after landing. Our hats go off to Collins for her courage – and our hearts go out to her as she grieves.

Written by Linnea Crowther