In Memorium: Tod Lilburn, Channel 4 San Diego

By Gayle Falkenthal

Channel 4 San Diego photojournalist Tod Lilburn was killed in a helicopter crash off the coast of Oregon on August 13th. Lilburn and another Channel 4 photojournalist, Michael Spaulding, were in separate helicopters as part of a project to retrace the journey of the Lewis and Clark expedition. They were about to begin videotaping when the crash occurred. The two copters encountered heavy fog just off the coast of Astoria, Oregon, northwest of Portland, and tried to return to the airport. When the aircraft carrying Lilburn did not make it back, Coast Guard rescuers were dispatched and found the wreckage and bodies. Also killed in the crash were environmental engineer Carol Forrest, wife of the expedition's leader and pilot Peter Simpson. All were from San Diego.

Lilburn had worked at Channel 4 since 1999 as one of the primary photographer/editors of the station's Press Club-honored news magazine, San Diego Insider. "He was an incredible storyteller and a great guy," said Channel 4 Station Manager Dennis Morgigno. "People gravitated toward Tod when he was out covering stories. They could see how much he cared about his work." Lilburn had previously worked at KUSI.

He leaves behind his wife Koren and 7-year-old son, David. The San Diego Press Club will update members via The Foghorn and our website on plans for a fund to assist Tod's family.

Posted Sept. 2006