Dustin Pope,Cal Wesolowski Obituary, Death; – A medical transport helicopter tragically crashed in Mississippi on Monday, resulting in the deaths of a pilot and two hospital personnel, according to officials.
The helicopter was en route back to Columbus after transporting a patient when it went down in Madison County around 12:30 PM, claiming the lives of all individuals on board, as stated by Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), during a press conference.
“The entire Medical Center family is heartbroken over this,” Woodward expressed.
UMMC has identified the deceased as 35-year-old base supervisor Dustin Pope from Philadelphia, 37-year-old flight nurse Jakob Kindt from Tupelo, and 62-year-old pilot Cal Wesolowski from Starkville. This incident marks the first crash in the 29-year history of the AirCare emergency services, as noted in a statement from the university. While the cause of the crash has not been disclosed, investigations are being conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration and other relevant authorities.
The families of the three victims have been informed, but officials have withheld the names to respect their privacy.
“It serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by Mississippi’s first responders daily in their efforts to ensure our safety,” remarked Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves on Facebook. “Our state will always remember the sacrifice of these heroes.”
