OWENTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A federal investigation is underway after a deadly medical helicopter crash in northern Kentucky.
Kentucky State Police say they were called to a helicopter crash in Owenton near Kentucky Highway 22 East at around 5:30 Monday evening.
Once on scene, troopers were able to determine that an Air Evac flight with three crew members onboard en route to a medical transport had crashed.
Initial findings from an FAA investigation say that the helicopter struck a guy wire and caught fire after crashing.
The three crew members, Gale Alleman, Bethany Aicken and James Welsh, were all pronounced dead by the Owen County Coroner.
Air Evac Lifeteam says the crew is based out of Grant County, Kentucky, and was on their way to a scene to pick up a patient when the accident happened.
[READ AIR EVAC LIFETEAM’S FULL STATEMENT BELOW]
The Owenton, Owen County Fire & Owen County Rescue Departments posted on social media that the helicopter crashed near the restaurant Amigos in Owenton.
Firefighters have been deployed at the scene to prevent unauthorized access.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
This a developing story and will be updated as we learn more information.
Air Evac Lifeteam is heartbroken to share that three crew members from AEL base 133 perished in a helicopter accident in Owenton, Kentucky today.
We were informed of the accident by local law enforcement shortly after it occurred.
The crew is based out of Grant County, Kentucky and were on their way to a scene to pick up a patient when the accident happened.
This was a terribly tragic accident, and our deepest sympathies go out to the employees’ families and friends.
Our primary focus now is on supporting the families who were impacted as well as our team members. Critical incident stress management teams have been sent to assist our team members during this difficult time.
At this time, we are not releasing the names of the crew members on board the flight. We kindly request respect for the privacy of our team members and their families in this difficult time.
AEL will work closely with the FAA and NTSB during the investigation. We ask that you please direct all questions regarding the facts and circumstances surrounding the accident to the NTSB public affairs representative.
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