On Monday, March 10, 2025, a tragic medical helicopter crash in Madison County, Mississippi, claimed the lives of three first responders.
The victims were identified as Dustin Pope, 35, a flight nurse and base supervisor from Philadelphia, Mississippi; Jakob Kindt, 37, a critical care paramedic from Tupelo, Mississippi; and Cal Wesolowski, 62, a pilot from Starkville, Mississippi.
They were onboard the AirCare Eurocopter EC-135 when it went down in a heavily wooded area south of the Natchez Trace Parkway.
The crew was returning to Columbus, Mississippi, after transporting a patient when they experienced issues and attempted to make an emergency landing in a field.
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Unfortunately, the helicopter crashed, and all three responders were killed. The crash site was difficult to reach, with crews taking two to three hours to extinguish the flames.
There were no patients onboard at the time of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the incident, with an initial report expected within 30 days.
This fatal accident marks the first in the 29-year history of the AirCare emergency services.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) expressed deep sorrow over the loss, with Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs, calling the incident a heartbreaking tragedy.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves also paid tribute to the fallen heroes, acknowledging the sacrifices made by first responders to keep the state safe.
