The search for survivors ends

May 5, 1995

From CNN Correspondent Chuck Conder

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (CNN) -- The search for victims ended a few minutes before midnight in Oklahoma City. John Long is an Oklahoma City firefighter. "It's consumed pretty much our whole lives the last two weeks. Our physical strength, and all our emotions."

Those emotions received one final wrenching jolt in the final minutes of the search. The remains of seven victims were recovered. One of them a child.

Oklahoma City Fire Chief Jon Hansen says that they had braced themselves for the discovery. "We knew that the area we couldn't get to was the area we were going to get to last, and we felt confident we'll find a number of the victims in that area and we did."

Two blast victims remain unaccounted for and fire officials believe they will, most likely, never be found. Rescuers returned home somber but with pride in the job they did...and pride in their community.

Ted Wilson is the chaplain of the Oklahoma City Police Department and says he is very proud of the people here. "...all the rescuers...everybody who moved a rock...everybody who pulled someone out...everybody who helped comfort somebody."

Comfort for the Oklahoma City firefighters who completed the search came in the knowing that their efforts have helped bring the peace of knowing...to the victims families. But it is a job that will remain with them...and with this city for some time to come.

Wilson says, "This is a big part of our lives now."

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The search for survivors ends

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