RENO, Nev. (AP) -- A medical helicopter airlifting a baby to a Reno hospital crashed in a remote area of northern Nevada, killing all five people aboard, authorities said.
The Access Air helicopter crashed either late Saturday or early Sunday into the upper part of 9,775-feet Mt. Tobin, about 200 miles northeast of Reno, Humboldt County Undersheriff Brian Jonas said.
Jonas said the 11-day-old infant, its mother, the pilot, a nurse and a paramedic were killed. Their names were not released.
``We're devastated,'' said Jim Hutchens, president of Access Air based in Boise, Idaho. ``These were our friends and colleagues.''
Authorities said they lost contact with the helicopter about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. The Bell 407 helicopter was en route to Washoe Medical Center after landing at Battle Mountain General Hospital to pick up the baby and its mother.
It crashed 25 miles southwest of Battle Mountain and 100 miles southwest of Elko, where it was based.
The cause of the crash was under investigation. National Transportation Safety Board investigators were expected to arrive Monday.
It was a little windy, but weather did not appear to be a factor in the crash, said Chuck Young, Access Air base manager in Elko.
``The cause could be any number of factors,'' Young said. ``The pilot was very experienced with a good record. The helicopter had a good safety record. We had it for quite some time and it flew like a champ.''
A search for the helicopter began after it was reported missing. The wreckage was spotted late Sunday morning by another pilot.
Authorities were unsure of the baby's medical problem. Hospital officials said federal law barred them from discussing it.
``It really is a tragedy for us,'' Jonas said. ``Being in rural areas ... we're so far from trauma centers, and we really rely on this kind of transportation to save lives out here.''
Plans call for the victims to be recovered Monday and taken to the Pershing County Coroner's Office, said Gary Derks of the state Emergency Management Division.
The crash site was near the Pershing-Humboldt county line.
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