DENVER — The survivors of a medical helicopter crash that killed pilot Patrick Mahany, 64, have been identified.
They are flight paramedic Dave Repsher, 45, and flight nurse Matt Bowe, 32, according to Air Methods, the company that operated the Flight for Life chopper, the Denver Post reports.
Repsher was burned in the crash and is in critical condition. Bowe sustained unspecified injuries and is in fair condition.
“Please keep the crew members and the entire Flight For Life family in your thoughts and prayers,” Air Methods said in a statement. “We ask that the media continues to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Federal investigators completed recovering wreckage, and will now move forward with an investigation, said Jennifer Rodi at the National Transportation Safety Board. A preliminary report should be released within the next few days.
The three-person crew was flying to a camp to teach kids about EMS helicopter operations. It had just taken off from a Frisco, Colo. hospital when it came crashing to the ground.
“The helicopter appears to be in flight for no more than 20 seconds; it lifts off and shortly after lifting off, it starts to rotate and continues to spin several times before impacting the ground,” Rodi said.
The Airbus AS350 chopper hit a parked pickup truck and travel camper and created a massive fireball, which engulfed the aircraft. Photos from the scene showed firefighters battling fiery wreckage.