By: Annie Oeth, UMMC Communications
Photos By: Melanie Thortis/UMMC Photography
An AirCare helicopter is shown in flight in this 2021 photo.
The crash of an AirCare helicopter in northern Madison County Monday claimed the lives of two University of Mississippi Medical Center care team members and the Med-Trans pilot.
“You never know what a day is going to bring, but today brought a terrible tragedy and loss to the Medical Center family,” said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs.
AirCare 3, based in Columbus, had flown to the Medical Center to transport a patient and was returning to Columbus when the accident occurred about 12:30 p.m. No patient was on board the helicopter.
The names of those on board are not being released at this time.
Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs, talks with members of the news media about the tragic AirCare accident Monday as Dr. Alan Jones, associate vice chancellor for health affairs, looks on.
“Their families have been notified, and we want to express our deepest condolences,” Woodward said. “The entire Medical Center family is heartbroken over this. We also want to express our concern and sadness and support for the AirCare team.”
AirCare, a helicopter emergency medical service, responds to emergencies around the state. AirCare is a hybrid relationship between UMMC and Med-Trans Corporation, with UMMC providing the clinical teams and Med-Trans providing the pilots and aircraft operations. This was the first crash in the 29-year history of the AirCare service.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.