Authorities on Monday identified the tragic crew of a medevac chopper that unexpectedly crashed in Oklahoma on Saturday night, killing everyone on board.
Air Evac Lifeteam identified the crew as pilot Russell Haslam, flight nurse Adam Tebben and flight paramedic Steven Fitzgerald in a Facebook post.
“Thank you for all the support and love you have shown the Air Evac family during this difficult time,” the air rescue agency said in the post. “Please continue to hold all of their families in your hearts.
“Russell, Adam and Steven, we miss you so much,” it said. “We’ll take it from here.”
The crew was returning to its Weatherford home base after transporting a patient to Oklahoma City when the chopper lost contact with the control center around 11:23 p.m., the agency said Sunday.
Photos of the victims were obtained by KOCO-TV in Oklahoma on Monday.
Air Evac Lifeteam pilot Russell Haslam was one of three crew members killed in a chopper crash. Facebook/Russell Haslam
Air Evac Lifeteam flight paramedic Steven Fitzgerald was killed in Saturday’s chopper crash. Facebook/EMSA OKLAHOMA
AIr Evac Lifeteam flight nurse Adam Tebben was killed in Saturday night’s helicopter crash.
The Bell 206L3 with the call sign N295AE went down near the town of Hydro, about 65 miles west of Oklahoma City, according to authorities.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.
The Air Evac Lifeteam chopper was returning from a patient transport in Oklahoma City when it crashed. KOCO 5
Air Evac Lifeteam is dedicated to emergency and crisis evacuations, with more than 150 choppers in 18 states. Air Evac Lifeteam“Rest easy,” one commenter wrote on Facebook. “May you forever fly with a tailwind and clear skies from now on. You will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the friends, family, and coworkers who are devastated from this loss.”
Air Evac Lifeteam provides helicopter and ambulance transport, with more than 150 choppers in service across 18 states, according to the group’s website.
