Selvík crash rescuers receive recognition after 30 years

KVF reports that two of the first rescue workers to reach the scene of the 1996 Selvík plane crash have received official recognition, three decades after the accident. Brian Bækgaard and Jens Tømmerup say they have learned to live with what they experienced.

A Gulfstream aircraft operated by the Danish military crashed at Selvík on August 3, 1996. All nine people on board died.

Bækgaard and Tømmerup spoke about the crash beside the memorial erected by Sørvágsfjørður five years ago to mark its 25th anniversary. Both were among the first rescue workers at the scene.

The experience left a lasting impact. Both men have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and still experience flashbacks. For many years, however, they did not talk about what they had witnessed.

They also say they had nobody to talk to about it.

A memorial service was held in Sørvágur on Tuesday to mark the crash, which was the deadliest accident in the history of the Danish military. Faroese and Danish rescue workers were also presented with honours in recognition of their efforts.

“We have waited 30 years,” Bækgaard and Tømmerup said after receiving the honours. Although the recognition came three decades later, they said it was important to receive it now.

The men said the events still affect them physically. They hope the recognition will make it easier to live a normal life.