Three people killed after medical helicopter carrying pilot and two hospital workers crashes in Mississippi
A medical transport helicopter with a pilot and two hospital workers on board crashed in Mississippi on Monday, killing everyone on board.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) AirCare helicopter crashed near the Natchez Trace in Madison County around 12:30 p.m. CT, reported WLBT.
Hospital officials confirmed the pilot and two medical staff were killed in the crash and no patient was on board. Their identities were not released on Monday.
FlightAware tracking data showed the Eurocopter EC-135 helicopter had stopped at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson and was returning to UMMC when it went down.
'They were returning to base after they delivered a patient,' UMMC Vice Chancellor Lou Ann Woodward said. 'There was no patient on board.'
'There were three crew members on board - two medical personnel and one pilot. The families have been notified.
'At this time, we are not releasing their names. We are maintaining that confidentiality out of respect for the... families and the individuals involved.'
The cause of the crash is unknown, and the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
A medical transport helicopter with a pilot and two hospital workers on board crashed in Mississippi on Monday
The Eurocopter EC-135 helicopter (generic UMMC helicopter pictured) had stopped at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson and was returning to UMMC when it went down
'Our entire Medical Center family is heartbroken over this,' Woodward said. 'We also want to express our concern and sadness for the AirCare team... This is the crew that responds to emergencies across all of the state.
'And to see them today to respond to one of their own... was something you can't put into words.'
UMMC's flight teams include critical care nurses and paramedics, according their website.
Officials said there was UMMC employee crew members and a pilot from Med-Trans, the Texas-based company they leased the helicopter from, on board.
'They are an amazing partner, and we've had a long-standing partnership. In fact, a real point of pride has been our safety record. In the history of our helicopter program, this is our first crash,' Woodward said.
'On a normal day, I'd be so happy telling you that. That news today sounds awfully hollow and unimportant. But safety is a top priority for all involved.'
FlightAware data showed the helicopter had made several stops on Monday before it crashed.
It was reported at Golden Triangle Regional Airport at 8:56 a.m., then seen near Columbus at 9:11 a.m. and 9:32 a.m.
Hospital officials (pictured) confirmed the pilot and two medical staff were killed in the crash and no patient was on board
The helicopter arrived at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center at 10:26 am and left at 10:48 a.m. to return to UMMC.
At 12:01 p.m., the helicopter left UMMC for St. Dominic Hospital, and took off from there at 12:09 p.m. and was last seen at 12:36 p.m.
The aircraft flew approximately 23 miles and reached an altitude of more than 2,000 feet.
'First Lady of Mississippi Elee Reeves and I are praying for the victims of today’s helicopter crash in Madison County,' Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said.
'Please keep the victims’ families and coworkers in your prayers. It’s a tragic reminder of the risks Mississippi’s first responders take every day to keep us safe. Our state will never forget the sacrifice of these heroes.'
