Former game show host Peter Tomarken killed in SoCal plane crash

KESQ-TV Palm Springs, CA ^ | March 13, 2006 | KESQ-TV

[BigSkyFreeper]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. Former T-V game show host Peter Tomarken and his wife were killed Monday morning when their small plane crashed into Santa Monica Bay. Divers called off a search for a third person Monday night after authorities concluded only two people were on board.

The bodies of the 63-year-old Tomarken, host of the hit 1980's game show "Press Your Luck," and his wife, Kathleen, were identified by the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

The plane was on its way to San Diego to ferry a medical patient to the U-C-L-A Medical Center.

The F-A-A says the plane apparently had engine trouble and was headed back to Santa Monica Airport, but went down just off shore.

"Press Your Luck" was known for contestants shouting the slogan "Big bucks! No whammies!"

[Panerai]

host of the hit 1980's game show "Press Your Luck - Sometimes the jokes just write themselves.

[jamily]

Sympathy to the family. I enjoyed Press Your Luck, we used to watch it back when we had tv.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Used to watch Press Your Luck every day after school when I was growing up in the 1980's.

[A CA Guy]

He was flying to transport a person who needed medical help.

They will be with the angels for at least trying to do good things.

They died during an act of charity which I find quite sad but impressive.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Saw video of it on one of the Los Angeles TV stations, and it looked like it had landed on the Santa Monica beach.

[STARWISE]

Trying photo again ...

Thanks, Mods ..

[BigSkyFreeper]

Thanks for adding the photo. I was trying to find a more recent photo on Google Images, but that was the one I was going to use. :)

[STARWISE]

You're welcome. I never saw this show .. I must've been in some twilight zone period.

[dixiechick2000]

One of the best game shows ever.

RIP

[BigSkyFreeper]

They show it on Game Show Network in reruns these days. Not sure when though.

[BigSkyFreeper]

My grandmother likes to watch Press Your Luck. She say's it's one of her favorite "quizzers" next to Jeopardy! and Wheel Of Fortune.

[conservative in nyc]

I was trying to find a more recent photo on Google Images, but that was the one I was going to use. :)

This is a little more recent (but undated) photo of Peter Tomarken from the AP:


Very sad to see a man dying while try to do good. Prayers for Mr. Tomarken, his wife Abigail, and his family.

Full AP article with more info here.

[conservative in nyc]

Here's Peter Tomarken's plane as the authorities were taking it out of the water:

[La Enchiladita]

I was impressed also that they were going to pick up a cancer patient, as reported on local news today. Although, something is missing in the story, because on the return trip a plane like that would not be able to land at UCLA Med Center; they were probably bringing the patient back to SM Airport, then transfer to a helicopter. There is a helipad at the Med Center.

I was already planning to go to Santa Monica today, when the story broke this morning. So, unintentionally, I ended up at the scene on the beach. It was slightly north of where POP pier used to be.

[bootless]

They will be with the angels for at least trying to do good things.

I understand they were on their way to an Angel Flight mission... God bless them.

[Tall_Texan]

At least he hadn't picked up the person he was trying to transport. Or were they trying to fly back? Anyway, if it was engine failure, better two victims than three.

[dixiechick2000]

I don't know if I would put it in the same category as "Jeopardy". ;o)

But, it was THE most enjoyable game show ever produced.

Thank you for the post, sad though it is.

[Tall_Texan]

He found the "Whammy".