Helicopter Crash In School Parking Lot Kills 3
A medical helicopter crashed in a school parking lot in eastern Kentucky. All three crew members were killed.
According to Yahoo News, the helicopter crash occurred late last night at Paces Creek Elementary School. Witness said that the Bell 206 LoneRanger was flying in “dense fog” but officials have not named the exact cause of the accident.
The Air Evac Lifeteam said in a statement: “We are saddened to confirm that three members of our Manchester, Ky., crew were killed in a helicopter accident late Thursday evening. We are devastated at the loss of these crew members who we consider family. We have no details regarding the cause of the accident but will be working with the NTSB in coming days as they conduct their investigation. We thank you all for your messages of support. Please keep these crew members family/friends and the AEL Family in your thoughts and prayers.”
The company identified the three people killed in the crash as pilot Eddie Sizemore, flight paramedic Herman Dobbs and flight nurse Jesse Jones. WKYT Lexington reports that the helicopter was on its way back to the base in Manchester after successfully transporting a patient to a hospital in London, Kentucky.
Company spokeswoman Julie Heavrin said that the Bell 206 LoneRanger involved in the crash was “completely refurbished” in May of 2012. The last time the Air Eva Lifeteam experienced a fatal crash was back in 2010.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will soon start an investigation into the crash.
