MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A day after his tragic death in a gyroplane crash in Sebring, family and friends of Manatee area chiropractor Chris Brugger shared memories and tried to come to terms with his sudden passing.

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Brugger, 52, will be remembered as a father, a husband, and a healer.

A chiropractor for more than a decade in Manatee County, Brugger has helped ease the pain for hundreds of his patients. 

Today, they’re all dealing with the pain of his sudden and unexpected death. 

Brugger was onboard a gyroplane Tuesday in Sebring when it crashed into a mobile home park shortly after takeoff from Sebring Airport. 

Both Brugger and the pilot Christopher Lord were killed in the fiery crash. 

“He gave from his heart. He loved to help people,“ said longtime family friend Kathy Wyatt. “Even back in our high school days, he was just the sweetest most caring person. That translated into his chiropractic business.” 

Brugger pursued an interest in becoming a chiropractor after he was in an accident and needed chiropractic services.

“He was in pain and he went to chiropractor after chiropractor and no one could help him,” said Shawn Ram, who works as a chiropractic assistant in Brugger’s office. “Finally, he was like, 'alright, this is it. I found someone who could help me, and I want to help people' so he's been doing this ever since then.” 

Ram spent much of Wednesday canceling appointments and answering calls from patients offering their sympathies. 

Meanwhile, federal authorities have taken over the investigation into what caused the crash. NTSB officials say the pilot did make a mayday call just moments before the gyroplane crashed.

Investigators say much of the wreckage was destroyed in the explosion when it crashed, but they’re hoping what’s left of the engine will offer clues into what might have caused the aircraft to go down so soon after takeoff.