gadgetguru
22nd Aug 2004, 23:35
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,10538368%255E1702,00.html
Baby dies in mercy flight crash
From Martin Griffith in Reno, Nevada
August 23, 2004
A MEDICAL helicopter airlifting a baby to a US hospital has crashed in a remote area of northern Nevada, killing all five people on board.
The Access Air helicopter crashed into the upper part of the 2932m Mount Tobin, northeast of Reno, Humboldt County Undersheriff Brian Jonas said.
The 11-day-old infant, its mother, the pilot, a nurse and a paramedic were killed. Their names have not been released.
"We're devastated," said Jim Hutchens, president of Access Air, which is based in Boise, Idaho. "These were our friends and colleagues."
Authorities said they lost contact with the helicopter as it was en route to Washoe Medical Centre in Reno after landing at Battle Mountain General Hospital to pick up the baby and its mother.
The cause of the crash was under investigation today and National Transportation Safety Board experts were heading to the area.
It was a little windy, but weather did not appear to be a factor in the crash, said Chuck Young, Access Air's base manager in Elko.
A search for the helicopter began after it was reported missing. The wreckage was spotted by another pilot.
Authorities were unsure of the baby's medical problem. Hospital officials said federal law barred them from discussing it.
"It really is a tragedy for us," Mr Jonas said. "Being in rural areas ... we're so far from trauma centres, and we really rely on this kind of transportation to save lives."
Baby dies in mercy flight crash
From Martin Griffith in Reno, Nevada
August 23, 2004
A MEDICAL helicopter airlifting a baby to a US hospital has crashed in a remote area of northern Nevada, killing all five people on board.
The Access Air helicopter crashed into the upper part of the 2932m Mount Tobin, northeast of Reno, Humboldt County Undersheriff Brian Jonas said.
The 11-day-old infant, its mother, the pilot, a nurse and a paramedic were killed. Their names have not been released.
"We're devastated," said Jim Hutchens, president of Access Air, which is based in Boise, Idaho. "These were our friends and colleagues."
Authorities said they lost contact with the helicopter as it was en route to Washoe Medical Centre in Reno after landing at Battle Mountain General Hospital to pick up the baby and its mother.
The cause of the crash was under investigation today and National Transportation Safety Board experts were heading to the area.
It was a little windy, but weather did not appear to be a factor in the crash, said Chuck Young, Access Air's base manager in Elko.
A search for the helicopter began after it was reported missing. The wreckage was spotted by another pilot.
Authorities were unsure of the baby's medical problem. Hospital officials said federal law barred them from discussing it.
"It really is a tragedy for us," Mr Jonas said. "Being in rural areas ... we're so far from trauma centres, and we really rely on this kind of transportation to save lives."