OWENTON, Ky. — A tragic incident occurred when a medical helicopter crashed in Kentucky, leading to the deaths of three crew members. The aircraft was in the midst of a mission to retrieve a patient when it hit a wire and went down, according to officials.
The incident took place on Monday evening in Owenton, close to state Highway 22, as confirmed by the Kentucky State Police. An investigation identified the helicopter as belonging to Air Evac Lifeteam and revealed that all three members on board lost their lives in the accident. The victims have been named as Gale Alleman, Bethany Aicken, and James Welsh.
According to statements from Air Evac Lifeteam, the crew was heading to retrieve a patient when the accident occurred. A preliminary report released by the Federal Aviation Administration indicated that the helicopter collided with a guy wire situated near the ground, resulting in a crash followed by a fire.
Authorities are currently conducting a death investigation into the crash. Both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are also involved in probing the circumstances surrounding the incident. An investigator from the NTSB is anticipated to arrive at the crash site on Tuesday afternoon to begin their assessment. Air Evac Lifeteam has committed to collaborating fully with the FAA and NTSB throughout the investigation process.
In a statement, AEL expressed their condolences, stating, “This was a terribly tragic accident, and our deepest sympathies go out to the employees’ families and friends.” The community is mourning the loss of the crew members, who served in a critical role in emergency medical services.