One dead and two rushed to hospital after medical helicopter crashes in Tennessee
One person was killed and two others were severely injured after a medical helicopter crashed in Tennessee.
A LifeFlight helicopter crashed in a field near Cairo Bend Road in Wilson County on Saturday, according to the police.
Three crew members were aboard the Vanderbilt University Medical Center chopper, which typically carries a pilot, a nurse, and an EMT.
The crash happened at around 2pm about 30 miles east of Nashville, between Lebanon and Gallatin.
‘Vanderbilt University Medical Center is deeply saddened to confirm that a Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter was involved in an accident this afternoon in Wilson County,’ the hospital said in a statement.
‘Three crew members were on board. Tragically, one crew member lost their life, and two others are in critical condition and receiving care at Vanderbilt University Hospital.’
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and the identities of the victims have not been released.
Emergency crews responded after a LifeFlight helicopter crashed Saturday afternoon south of the Gallatin airport
Two nurses and a pilot were aboard the chopper owned by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, one person was killed and two others were critically injured
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined at this time, and the victims’ identities have not been released
They also stated no patients were on board the helicopter at the time of the wreckage.
The helicopter, an Airbus EC130T2, departed from the Music City Executive Airport in Gallatin, WZTV reported.
It remained airborne for roughly eight minutes before it suddenly plunged from the sky, crashing into the field below.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have taken over the crash investigation.
‘Our hearts are heavy tonight in Wilson County,’ the Wilson County Fire Department wrote in a statement.
‘We mourn the loss of a dedicated LifeFlight crew member and pray for healing for those injured.
‘Our thoughts are also with our brothers and sisters in the emergency medical community who serve with courage every day.’
The fallen LifeFlight crew member being carried by the Wilson County Fire Department, draped in an American flag
Locals in the rural area were shocked by the horrific crash and scene that occurred in their neighborhood
An emotional photo shared by the fire department shows the fallen LifeFlight crew member being carried, draped in an American flag.
Locals in the rural area were bewildered by the crash that occurred in their normally peaceful neighborhood.
‘I talked to one of my neighbors, and he said that he saw it all go down. He helped pick the pilot and the co-pilot out,’ a witness told WSMV 4.
‘The helicopter, [was] sitting on its side, almost rolled over. It didn’t catch on fire or anything, it wasn’t burning, but it did have a lot of damage.’
