3 First Responders Killed in Mississippi Medical Helicopter Crash

A medical helicopter crash in Madison County, Miss., on Monday, March 10, has claimed the lives of all three people on board.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) identified the deceased as Dustin Pope, 35, of Philadelphia, Miss.; Jakob Kindt, 37, of Tupelo, Miss.; and Cal Wesolowski, 62, of Starkville, Miss., on Tuesday, March 11.

Wesolowski was a Med-Trans pilot. Pope was the base supervisor for AirCare in Columbus and a flight nurse, WJTV News 12 reports. Kindt was a critical care paramedic.

The three first responders were traveling in the AirCare Eurocopter EC-135 helicopter when it went down in a heavily wooded area south of the Natchez Trace Parkway and north of Pipeline Road in Madison County at approximately 1:15 p.m. Monday, March 10, per the FAA. No patients were on board at the time of the accident.

Related: Dead Goose Found Inside Medical Helicopter After Crash That Killed 3: NTSB Report

Pope and Kindt began working with UMMC on Aug. 14, 2017, WJTV reports, citing officials.

"The entire Medical Center family is heartbroken over this," UMMC vice chancellor for health affairs, Dr. LouAnn Woodward, said at a press conference, CBS News reported.

Woodard added that the crew was on their way back to Columbus after transporting a patient when their helicopter went down.

“At one point during the flight, they ceased communications with air traffic control and communicated with base,” NTSB spokesman Todd Imman said during a press conference, per WAPT.

Before the AirCare helicopter went down, Wesolowski said he and his crew were having issues and would attempt a landing in a field, Imman said, WAPT reported.

Soon after, 911 calls came in from a witness saying they had just seen a helicopter crash.

Related: Crew Member Killed in Medical Helicopter Crash Was Dad-to-Be: 'Nothing in This World That Can Ease the Pain'

According to Imman, it took two to three hours to extinguish the flames at the crash site, which was in a remote and muddy area.

“We just finished our initial site visit. We were able to observe tree scratch marks that would be consistent with a rotor strike,” he said.

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A preliminary report is expected to be available within 30 days, with the full report being ready within 12 to 24 months, the outlet added of the investigation into the cause of the deadly accident.

The fatal crash was the first in the 29-year history that AirCare emergency services have been operational, CBS News reported, citing a statement from the university.

"It's a tragic reminder of the risks Mississippi's first responders take every day to keep us safe," Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves wrote Facebook. "Our state will never forget the sacrifice of these heroes."

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

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