Report: 2 useless, 1 harm in medical copter crash in Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A medical helicopter responding to a name to airlift a hiker with respiration issues crashed Sunday southeast of the Alabama metropolis of Birmingham, leaving two of its crew useless and sending the third to a hospital, authorities mentioned.

The Eurocopter EC130 crashed close to the group of Chelsea in Shelby County with the three crew aboard, the Federal Aviation Administration mentioned in an electronic mail to The Related Press.

Shelby County Sheriff’s Workplace Chief Deputy Clay Hammac advised information outlet al.com that the downed craft was a medical helicopter referred to as to evacuate a hiker affected by respiration issues and chest pains.

Deputies had arrange a touchdown space for the helicopter, he added.

A deputy referred to as 911 to report the crash and mentioned that one of many three crew members was pronounced useless on the scene, in keeping with the report. Two others have been taken to a hospital, the place certainly one of them was pronounced useless, it added.

The situation of the third crew member was not instantly obtainable.

The hiker was transported individually and made it to a hospital safely, in keeping with Hamma. The hiker’s situation additionally was not recognized.

“Our deputies did the very best they may to render assist,” Hammac mentioned. “The helicopter was on fireplace.”

Emergency crews spent hours on the website of the charred wreckage and legislation enforcement officers deliberate to safe the location in a single day whereas the investigation continues, in keeping with the report.

The Nationwide Transportation Security Board mentioned in a tweeted assertion that it could lead the investigation into the crash, assisted by the FAA. These businesses had no preliminary info on a potential trigger.

Chelsea is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of downtown Birmingham.