First responders were dispatched to a tragic helicopter crash in Madison County, Mississippi, shortly before 1 p.m. on Monday. Officials reported that the crash involved a medical helicopter near the Natchez Trace Parkway, north of Highway 43 and south of Pipeline Road.
A spokesperson from Madison County confirmed fatalities at the crash site, describing the location as a heavily wooded area. Authorities are currently awaiting the arrival of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials, who will oversee the investigation and provide further updates.
The helicopter belonged to Med-Trans and had two crew members from the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and a Med-Trans pilot aboard. No patient was being transported at the time of the incident.
Flight tracking data from FlightAware showed that the helicopter departed from St. Dominic Hospital at 12:09 p.m. and disappeared from radar approximately 27 minutes later, at 12:36 p.m. During its brief flight, the aircraft traveled about 23 miles and reached an altitude exceeding 2,000 feet.
WLBT reporters at the scene described heavy police and emergency responder activity, with visible wreckage scattered across the area. Due to the severity of the incident, officials from the Natchez Trace Parkway announced via social media around 3:15 p.m. that the Parkway would be closed to traffic from the Highway 43 access road to Ratliff Ferry Road Crossing. Authorities have pledged to update the public as soon as the road reopens.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves released a statement expressing condolences and emphasizing the dangers first responders face daily. “First Lady of Mississippi Elee Reeves and I are praying for the victims of today’s helicopter crash in Madison County. Please keep the victims’ families and co-workers in your prayers,” Reeves stated. “It’s a tragic reminder of the risks Mississippi’s first responders take every day to keep us safe.”
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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