Editor's Note: Pilot Mark Gann, 63, of Sylacauga and RN Samuel Russell, 43, of Goodwater, died as a result of the crash, officials announced Monday.
Carol Robinson
al.com
(TNS)
Authorities spent Sunday afternoon and evening on the scene of a deadly helicopter crash in northeast Shelby County.
Lifesaver 4 out of Sylacauga crashed just before 5:30 p.m. off U.S. 280. Two male crew members were killed.
Shelby County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Clay Hammac said the medical helicopter crashed Sunday evening. The Lifesaver helicopter was requested to assist the extraction of a patient who had been hiking in the area and suffered breathing problems and chest pains. Deputies had set up a landing area for the helicopter.
At 5:23 p.m., a Shelby County deputy called into 911 to report the crash of the aircraft on County Road 43, which is Bear Creek Road, in the area of Mountain Oaks Drive.
Hammac said there were three crew members onboard. One of them was pronounced dead on the scene. Two others were taken to the hospital where another crew member was pronounced dead.
The condition of the third crew member was not immediately available.
The original patient – the hiker – was transported separately to a hospital.
“Our deputies did the best they could to render aid,” Hammac said. “The helicopter was on fire.”
“They did attempt to extract the flight crew and we’re very thankful for the help of our Chelsea Fire Department as well as the Cahaba Valley Fire Department which responded to the scene,” he said.
Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer said that whenever first responders answer that type of call, they know there is a possibility of something very bad happening. “It was an outcome that none of us want,’’ Picklesimer said.
“This flight crew on Lifesaver, they’re heroes and so our hearts go out to the families of these two flight members and a heartfelt thanks to my heroes, Chelsea Fire and Rescue and the deputies that responded,” the mayor said. “Please remember these families that will be left behind and that have to deal with this tragic event.
Hammac called it a difficult time for those in the public safety profession.
“We count ourselves as family of all first responders, fire, medical and law enforcement,” the chief deputy said. “Many of us in this profession know these individuals who were involved so this affects us very deeply.”
Deputies will continue to hold the scene overnight. The crash investigation will be led by the NTSB with assistance from the FAA.
The Shelby County EMA is assisting by providing any resources needed in the probe. Director Hub Harvey said NTSB investigators are en route to the scene, with more investigators to arrive Monday morning.
“We are a very tight-knit group of responders…and this is a tragic loss for this community,” Harvey said. “We ask that you would continue to keep all these people, especially the people who had to respond to this tragic incident, in your thoughts and prayers.”
The area will be closed until further notice. Hammac said they hope to have it open by morning, but could not say for sure that would be the case.
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