A pilot, paramedic and critical care nurse were injured Monday night after a medical helicopter crashed in eastern North Carolina.
The AirLink helicopter, which was not transporting patients at the time, went down under unknown circumstances in a wooded area around 7:50 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The helicopter — a Eurocopter EC-135 — had taken off from Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington and was headed back to its base at Albert J. Ellis Airport near Richlands, about 60 miles northeast. The aircraft when down not long after takeoff, crashing about 10 miles from Wilmington National Airport, according to WBTV.
The pilot, paramedic and nurse — who were the only ones onboard the helicopter — survived and were taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Matt Davis, deputy fire chief with New Hanover County Fire Rescue, said two of the survivors were “severely injured,” but did not offer specific details. They were each listed in fair condition as of Tuesday evening, Novant Health said in a statement.
“We are deeply grateful for the compassionate care and swift response demonstrated by area first responders and our team members following the recent helicopter incident,” the health care company said.
The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the crash.
The incident comes roughly a month after a medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia, killing all six people onboard and another person on the ground.