Two first responders die after Lifesaver medical helicopter out to extract patient crashes in Shelby County
SHELBY COUNTY, ALABAMA: Two male crew members lost their lives following a Lifesaver medical helicopter crash near Highway 280 on Sunday, April 2. The tragic incident occurred around 5.30 pm in northeast Shelby County when Lifesaver 4 out of Sylacauga crashed on Bear Creek Road and Mountain Oaks Drive.
Chief Deputy Clay Hammac of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office said there were three crew members onboard. One of them died on the scene while 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.
READ MORE
Couple dies after hot air balloon bursts into flames mid-air as daughter, 13, jumps for life
What was the Lifesaver helicopter doing?
The Lifesaver helicopter was requested to assist in the extraction of a patient who had been hiking in the area and suffered breathing problems and chest pains. The hiker was transported separately to a hospital after the crash. A landing site was set up and that’s when the crash happened.
Deputies and other first responders are currently on the scene of an aircraft accident in the area of Bear Creek Road (Co Rd 43) and Mountain Oaks Drive. The road is closed in both directions, and it is likely it will be closed for an extended period of time.
— Shelby County SO (@ShelbyCountySO) April 2, 2023
'The helicopter was on fire'
“Our deputies did the best they could to render aid,” Hammac said according to AL.com. “The helicopter was on fire.” He continued, "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."
Hammac said it is a hard time for those associated with 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.”
Chelsea Mayor speaks
Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer said that there is always a possibility of something very bad happening whenever first responders answer that type of call. “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. He added, "Please remember these families that will be left behind and that have to deal with this tragic event."
NTSB will lead the crash investigation 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 were already on their way to the scene, with more investigators to arrive today 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.”