Update: According to sources, the three members aboard the air-evac helicopter were: Michael Baker - Pilot Allan Bragwell - Paramedic Tiffany Miles - Nurse Further information will be given when available.

The Associated Press
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press

TUSCUMBIA, Ala. — A helicopter searching for a lost hunter in north Alabama crashed early Sunday morning, killing all three people on board, said officials with the Missouri-based company that owns the aircraft.

The cause of the crash is being investigated, said Jeff Davis, a manager with West Plains-based Air Evac EMS Inc. The helicopter went down sometime after 3 a.m., he said.

The company has not released the names of the victims, a company spokeswoman said.

The hunter was found at around the time of the crash by Colbert County authorities who were conducting the primary search, said Sheriff Ronnie May, who did not identify the hunter.

May said the search for the hunter began after he disappeared after dark on Saturday in the Freedom Hills Wildlife Management Area, a 31,572-acre state hunting preserve.

May said the area is rural and heavily wooded. The hunter did not have life-threatening injuries and was transported to Keller Hospital in Sheffield, Ala.

May said the FAA is on scene conducting an investigation of the crash and that the National Transportation and Safety Board is en route.

The sheriff declined to identify the victims, saying that their families are still being notified.