A tragic helicopter crash has taken the lives of two medical staff members and the pilot on board in Madison County, Mississippi.
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The Eurocopter EC-135 helicopter had stopped at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson. They had not picked up any patients, but the pilot and two passengers were on board. The helicopter was on the way to the University of Mississippi Medical Center when it crashed into a nearby wooded area.
The three people on board died in the helicopter crash. Out of respect for the passengers, their names are being withheld. However, a full investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. Helicopters can be dangerous aircraft, but they are essential to medical services.
The statement released by UMMC noted that there was not a patient on board. They had already been dropped off at the hospital before the helicopter set off to return and crashed.
Heartfelt Messages For Family Of Helicopter Crash Victims
The UMMC are shocked and saddened by the unexpected helicopter crash so close to their facility that killed their colleagues. "Our entire Medical Center family is heartbroken over this," UMMC Vice Chancellor Lou Ann 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."
The AirCare team, up until the recent helicopter crash, had a completely clean record. They regularly ran flights for the medical center in many different conditions. The recent incident was a tragic accident on an otherwise spotless flight record.
"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," the vice chancellor said.
Both the staff of the medical center and the governor of Mississippi have given statements sharing their condolences for the families of the staff who lost their lives in the helicopter crash. It was a tragic accident and will leave many people grieving.
