MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A medical helicopter en route to the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison crashed shortly after taking off from the La Crosse airport, killing the surgeon, nurse and pilot on board, officials said Sunday.
The helicopter was a new American Eurocopter EC13. It went down late Saturday about three miles from the airport, said Elizabeth Isham Cory, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration.
The wreckage was found early Sunday and preliminary reports indicate that the helicopter may have struck a hill or trees, said Margaret Van Bree, the hospital’s chief operating officer.
Ms. Van Bree said those killed in the crash were a surgeon, Darren Bean; a nurse, Mark Coyne; and the pilot, Steve Lipperer.
There were no concerns about the weather before the helicopter took off about 10:30 p.m. “No further communication was received from the crew,” Ms. Van Bree said.
The pilot was flying visually, not using instruments, at the time of the crash, said a hospital official, Mark Hanson. He said he did not know why.
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