3 killed in medical helicopter crash in Mississippi

MADISON COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT/Gray News) - Officials in Mississippi say three people are dead after a medical helicopter crashed in Madison County.

First responders were called to the site of the crash near the Natchez Trace, north of Highway 43, shortly before 1 p.m.

EN ESPAÑOL: Confirman varios muertos tras estrellarse un helicóptero ambulancia en Mississippi

A Madison County spokesperson confirmed deaths from the crash, saying, “We are on the scene of a medical helicopter crash in a heavily wooded area south of the Natchez Trace and North of Pipeline Road. There are fatalities. We are now awaiting the arrival from the FAA. Any other information should come from them.”

The University of Mississippi Medical Center also released a memo stating that two UMMC employee crew members and a Med-Trans pilot were on board. According to the memo, no patients were aboard.

Madison County Sheriff Randy Tucker told reporters that crew members reported losing power, and after that, nothing else.

“I live not far from here. That flight path is over my home. I see them all the time and think and pray for the people that are in there, not just the patients, but the people that are working on those patients. A lot of those individuals are personal friends of mine... I tell you, I hurt for them. I really do,” Tucker said.

The helicopter departed from UMMC at 12:25 p.m. and disappeared from radar at approximately 12:36 p.m.

The helicopter was in the air 11 minutes before crashing in Madison County. According to FlightAware, a flight tracking website, the aircraft flew approximately 23 miles and reached an altitude of more than 2,000 feet.

Natchez Trace Parkway officials announced over Facebook around 3:15 p.m. that the Parkway was closed to traffic from the Highway 43 access road to Ratliff Ferry Road Crossing in Madison County while first responders were on scene.

The cause of the crash is currently unknown.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves issued a statement in response to the crash.

In a social media post, he said, “@firstladyofms and I are praying for the victims of today’s helicopter crash in Madison County. Please keep the victims’ families and coworkers in your prayers. It’s a tragic reminder of the risks Mississippi’s first responders take every day to keep us safe. Our state will never forget the sacrifice of these heroes.”