ABC's Ralph Binder Killed

[Flaca Productions]

A memo from ABC News president David Westin:

I am deeply sorry to report that we lost a beloved colleague today, cameraman Ralph Binder. Ralph was driving with soundman Dan Johnson from Denver to Omaha to cover the mall shooting. They were in an accident on Interstate 80 near Grand Island, Nebraska. According to police, their vehicle swerved to avoid a car that had lost control in front of them. Ralph was killed; Dan was treated and released from the hospital.
Ralph started at ABC News in 1974. Many of us got to know him when he worked in our Washington bureau. Some years ago he moved to Denver, and since then has worked extensively as a freelancer for ABC News. Just last month, Ralph was Charlie's cameraman during the California wildfires. He was a first-class cameraman but much more, he was a wonderful man. Ralph was married to Joy Wolf, who often works as a freelance producer for ABC News. He was the devoted father of two sons, ages 12 and 9. We will do our utmost to support them in every way and will make sure that Dan gets the care that he needs.

We will let you know about arrangements as they are made. As terribly sad as this is, it does remind us of the extraordinary work and commitment of so many of our colleagues in the field every day.

[dazapper]

I didn't know Ralph, but my heart is heavy with this news and my thoughts are for his family.

This news hits close to home for many of us here, and it amazes me that we don't hear more bad news like this. We drive tens of thousands of miles each year, we have demanding clients who want us to travel farther without putting us up in hotels, and we jump from one network to another day in and day out, often with little regard for our own health. How many times have we arrived home very late at night while working for one client only to run out the door early the next day for another. Turning down a job because of a late out the night before is done at our peril, so we take whatever we can get.
I only hope to not read stories like this too often.

Please drive carefully, pay attention to the road and the other drivers, don't text while driving, use a hands free phone, and don't kill yourself for ANY story. Nothing is more important to your family than having you walk through the door at the end of each day.

[Mike]

I did know Ralph and not only worked alongside him, but had the pleasure of serving as his photographer on various projects that he produced. For those of us who knew him, we certainly have suffered a great loss.

We all take chances during the course of our work, so let's be extra careful as a tribute to Ralph, our families, our friends and ourselves.

[Hiding Under Here]

I was traveling out to Omaha this morning for ABC. When I checked in around 930a they told me we would be meeting up with a crew out of Denver and together we two crews would be shooting material for Friday's 20/20. The plane flew to Omaha via Houston and when I called in from Houston to tell the ABC folks our status, they informed me that the other cameraman had died in a car accident and that his sound tech had been treated and released from the hospital.

Wow. What a blow to the stomach that was.

Dave said it well. We all drive so much and in varying states of alertness. I don't really know what happened to Ralph but my thoughts and prayers are with his family.

[ED Scott]

Ralph was a very good friend of mine. I will miss him and his friendship.
http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/9292/ralphqa5.jpg

[DNVRSTRINGER]

DENVER: From AP Wires:

Denver TV Cameraman Killed On Way To Omaha
DENVER (AP) ¯ Ralph Binder, a Denver-based television cameraman who often worked for ABC News, was killed in a traffic accident Thursday on his way to Omaha, Neb., to cover the shopping mall shootings, the network said.

He was 58.

Binder and a soundman were on Interstate 80 near Grand Island, Neb., and their vehicle had swerved to avoid another car that had gone out of control, ABC News President David Westin said.

The soundman, Dan Johnson, was treated and released at a hospital, Westin said.

Binder had worked for ABC News in Washington and later moved to Denver, where he frequently did freelance work for the network.

"He was a first-class cameraman, but much more, he was a wonderful man," Westin said.

Binder is survived by his wife, Joy Wolf, and two sons, ages 12 and 9.

[David R. Busse]

Sad news.
I first worked alongside Ralph on my first network assignment, at the 1980 Republican Convention in Detroit. Saw him other places over the years. He was one of the good guys.

[A Step Above Productions]

Sorry to hear the news - I did not know him, but this could be anyone of us.