WICHITA FALLS (AP) — Authorities say a medical helicopter has crashed a few blocks away from a North Texas hospital where it was headed, killing a patient it was transporting and seriously injuring the pilot and two medical personnel who were onboard.
The Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter crashed just before 2 a.m. Saturday in downtown Wichita Falls, a city near the Oklahoma border.
Wichita Falls Fire Chief Jon Reese told the Times Record News that the helicopter was taking the patient from Waurika, Oklahoma, to United Regional Health Care in Wichita Falls when it crashed.
He said the patient died at the scene and the pilot is in serious but stable condition at United Regional. He said the flight nurse and paramedic are in critical condition at a hospital burn unit in Dallas.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this accident," said Air Evac Lifeteam spokesman Daniel Sweeza in a written statement, which added that the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified.
Air Evac Lifeteam says it operates 116 bases in 15 states.
