A medical transport helicopter with a pilot and two hospital staff on board crashed in Mississippi on Monday and killed everyone on board.
The Aircare Helicopter of the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) crashed around 12.30 pm CT near the Nattchez Trace in Madison County, WLBT reported.
Hospital officials confirmed the pilot and two medical staff were killed in the crash and there was no patient on board. Their identities were not released on Monday.
Flightaware tracking data showed that the EC-135 helicopter of Eurocopter had stopped in the St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson and returned to UMMC when it went down.
“They returned to basics after they had delivered a patient,” said UMMC Vice Chancellor Lou Ann Woodward. “There was no patient on board.”
'There were three crew members on board – two medical staff and one pilot. The families have been informed.
“We don't release their names at the moment. We maintain that confidentiality out of respect for the … families and the people involved. '
The cause of the crash is unknown and investigating the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board.
A medical transport helicopter with a pilot and two hospital staff on board crashed in Mississippi on Monday
The Eurocopter EC-135 helicopter (generic UMMC helicopter depicted) had stopped in St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson and returned to UMMC when it went down
“Our entire Medical Center family is broken about this,” said Woodward. 'We also want to express our concern and sorrow for the Aircare team … This is the crew that responds to emergency situations throughout the state.
“And to see them today to respond to one of their own … was something that you can't put into words.”
The UMMC flight teams include critical healthcare nurses and paramedics, according to their website.
Officials said there were UMMC crew members of employees and a pilot of Med-Trans, the company-based company where they rented the helicopter from, on board.
'They are a great partner and we have had a long -term partnership. Our safety record has been a real point of pride. In the history of our helicopter program this is our first crash, “said Woodward.
'On a normal day I would be so happy to tell you that. That news sounds very hollow and unimportant today. But safety is a top priority for all involved. '
Flightaware data showed that the helicopter had made different stops on Monday before it crashed.
It was reported on Golden Triangle Regional Airport at 8:56 am, then seen near Columbus at 9.11 am and 9:32 am
Hospital officials (photo) confirmed the pilot and two medical staff were killed during the crash and there was no patient on board
The helicopter arrived at 10:26 am in the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center and left at 10:48 am to return to UMMC.
At 12:01 the helicopter UMMC left for the St. Dominic Hospital and left from there at 12:09 pm and was last seen at 12:36 pm
The plane flew around 23 miles and reached a height of more than 2,000 feet.
“First Lady of Mississippi Elee Reeves and I pray for the victims of today's helicopter crash in Madison County,” said Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves.
'Keep the families and colleagues of the victims in your prayers. It is a tragic memory of the risks that Mississippi's first care providers take every day to keep us safe. Our state will never forget the sacrifice of these heroes. '
