2023 Shelby County helicopter crash
The 2023 Shelby County helicopter crash was a fatal aviation accident that occurred at 5:55 PM on Sunday April 2, 2023 on Bear Creek Road (Shelby County Road 43) at Mountain Oak Drive, at the base of Double Oak Mountain north of Chelsea.
The Life Saver 4 Sylacauga medical transport helicopter, a Eurocopter EC130 operated by Air Methods Corporation of Englewood, Colorado from the Sylacauga Municipal Airport, was called to the area to carry a hiker who had suffered shortness of breath and chest pains. Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies arrived first at the scene. They made the call to Life Saver at around 5:30, and prepared a landing area on Bear Creek Road.
Three crew members were aboard the helicopter when it crashed during landing. One was pronounced dead at the scene and two others were taken to a hospital, where one other died from his injuries. Pilot Marc Gann, 63, of Sylacauga, and flight nurse Adam Russell, 43, of Goodwater were the two who died. Flight paramedic Amanda Daniels suffered serious injuries. The hiker, Johnny Davis, 48, was taken away from the scene in an ambulance, but died on the way to a hospital.
The Chelsea Fire Department and Cahaba Valley Fire Department responded to the scene of the crash. The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency participated in coordinated the public response. The National Transportation Safety Board with assistance from Federal Aviation Administration officials arrived shortly after to begin an investigation of the cause of the incident.
References
- Robinson, Carol (April 3, 2023) "Medical helicopter crashes in Shelby County; two confirmed dead." AL.com
- Robinson, Carol (April 3, 2023) "Alabama medical helicopter pilot killed in crash was dedicated to ‘saving lives and making a difference’." AL.com
- Robinson, Carol (April 5, 2023) "Lone survivor of Alabama Life Saver helicopter crash says heart ‘shattered’ by 2 deaths: ‘Do not pass blame’." AL.com
- Robinson, Carol (April 24, 2023) "Video and witness accounts aid investigation into deadly Shelby County helicopter crash." AL.com