MADISON COUNTY, Miss. — A medical transport helicopter operated by Med-Trans Corporation crashed, killing all three crew members on board, the Associated Press reports.
The AirCare helicopter, affiliated with the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), was not carrying any patients at the time of the crash.
UMMC identified the three victims as Jakob Kindt, 37, a critical care paramedic for AirCare; Dustin Pope, 35, a base supervisor for AirCare; and Cal Wesolowski, 62, a pilot. They were assigned to AirCare 3, one of four medical helicopter units operated by the medical center, and were based in Columbus, Mississippi.
The crash occurred in a heavily wooded area near the Natchez Trace Parkway and Highway 43 on March 10. Local authorities, including the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Gluckstadt Fire Department, responded to the scene. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was notified and is expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves expressed his condolences, stating, “It’s a tragic reminder of the risks Mississippi’s first responders take every day to keep us safe. Our state will never forget the sacrifice of these heroes.”
The helicopter was returning to its base after delivering a patient, according to the Associated Press.
This article, originally published on March 10, was updated on March 11 with the names of the victims.
