Two crew members were killed and a third was seriously injured after a medical helicopter crashed in Alabama.
The incident occurred around 5:20 p.m. Sunday when the helicopter was trying to land, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said.
The helicopter was responding to a call to rescue a hiker who was having difficulty breathing and chest pains in the town of Chelsea, about 20 miles southeast of Birmingham. The hiker, who was not on board when the helicopter crashed, was transported to the hospital separately in unknown condition.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Clay Hammac said during a news conference that deputies were on the scene attempting to clear a landing zone when the aircraft crashed.
“Our deputies responded to the scene since they were there at the time of the crash, and did the best they could to render aid,” Hammac said. “The helicopter was on fire.”
The three crew members were pulled from the wreckage. One died at the scene and another died at a hospital. The third was taken to the University of Alabama-Birmingham Hospital in critical condition.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were called in the assist in the investigation, Hammac said.
Air Methods, the company that owns the LifeSaver helicopter, described the crash as an accident.
Please keep Life Saver 4 and everyone impacted by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers,” the company said in a statement.
The Shelby County Coroner identified the victims as pilot Mark Gann, 63, and nurse Samuel Russell, 43, on Monday.
“Our hearts go out to the families of these two members of the flight crew that have passed away,” Chelsea mayor Tony Picklesimer said Sunday night. “And my heartfelt thanks to, my heroes, that Chelsea Fire and Rescue that responded, and to the deputies that responded. And please remember these families that will be left behind and that have had to deal with this tragic event.”