Medical helicopter crashes in Oklahoma — killing all 3 on board — after dropping patient off at hospital

Three air ambulance crew members are dead after the helicopter they were flying to transport a patient crashed into a field in Oklahoma over the weekend.

Late Saturday night, a Bell 206L3 helicopter with Air Evac Lifeteam was on its way to return to base in Weatherford, Oklahoma, after transporting a patient to Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, approximately 65 miles east of Weatherford. According to AEL's Facebook page, just before 11:30 p.m., the AEL operations control center lost contact with the air ambulance helicopter.

Other AEL team members then assisted law enforcement with the search for the missing chopper. Sadly, they later learned it had crashed into a field in Hydro, fewer than 10 miles away from Weatherford. All three crew members aboard the helicopter died in the crash.

The following segment from KOCO shows the devastating destruction of the aircraft:

3 people killed in Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter crash near Hydrowww.youtube.com

Though AEL's initial post declined to name the crew members, a follow-up message posted Monday afternoon revealed the names of the lost: Russell Haslam, the pilot; Adam Tebben, a flight nurse; and Steven Fitzgerald, a flight paramedic.

"Russell, Adam and Steven, we miss you so much. We’ll take it from here," the Facebook message concluded.

Thus far, few details about the crash have been revealed. The National Transportation Safety Board has since taken over the investigation, planning to examine weather data, air traffic control communications, and some background checks into the pilot, among other possible factors.

Family and friends, AEL, and members of the community are understandably anxious for answers; however, those answers are not likely to come any time soon. According to KOCO, a preliminary report is not expected for at least a month, while the full investigation could take up to two years.

Air Evac Lifeteam operates in 18 states and claims to be "the nation’s leading provider of helicopter air ambulance services," especially for those living in rural areas, such as western Oklahoma. Up to 90% of the patients AEL transports originate in rural areas.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!