Thousands of dollars fall from the sky for one reason as man’s dying wish is granted
One man's generous dying wish resulted in thousands of dollars floating down from the sky in Detroit last month.
Carwash owner Darrell 'Plant' Thomas passed away aged 58 from complications linked to Alzheimer's disease on June 15, before being laid to rest just under two weeks later.
According to the Detroit Free Press, following the funeral, his two sons Dante and Jonte organized for a helicopter to swing by and rain $5,000 (plus some rose petals) over their dad's business, Showroom Shine Express, on Gratiot Avenue.
Darrell's niece, Crystal Perry, said: "This was a final expression of love from him to the community because he was a giver.
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"Yesterday was simply a farewell tribute to an Eastside legend."
Crystal went on to add about her late uncle: "He would do anything for anybody. He just had a different kind of heart. You don't meet people like that nowadays."
As this cascade of bank notes fluttered towards the ground, MailOnline reports that all six driving lanes came to a standstill on Gratiot Avenue as people leapt out of their car seats for a chance to claim a bundle of cash.
Darell and Jonte said it was their dad's dying wish to give back to the community one last time.
Footage from the excited scene captured the helicopter hovering as petals and bills met gravity, prompting something of a mad scramble below.
"Let me get out and get that money!" a child could be heard shouting off-camera.
In the video, Crystal can be heard saying: "They dropped this money for my uncle in the middle of Gratiot [Avenue]. The best to ever do it! Rest well, unc. Rest well!"
Meanwhile, Lisa Knife, who works at the nearby Airport Express Lube & Service, told the Detroit News that there was 'no fighting' as the gesture unfolded.
"It was really beautiful. Everybody got a little bit," she said.
Dante spoke proudly of his father's legacy on the day, sharing with his fellow mourners: "Detroit, y'all might not know who my father was, but he was a great father.
"Among his community he was a legend, and he blessed everyone - and that was his last blessing to everyone. That's all it was. Many blessings to everyone, and long live Plant."
Police, who were pre-warned about the petal drop but not the cash, briefly closed off traffic on Gratiot Avenue and Connor Street to allow the crowd to safely enjoy this heartwarming farewell.
Detroit police are not investigating, although the Federal Aviation Administration did launch a probe.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].
Dan Seddon