A helicopter crash in the area of Bear Creek Road on Sunday evening, April 2 in Shelby County, killed two people and left another critically injured, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Clay Hammac said the crash occurred as a medical helicopter from Sylacauga-based Lifesaver 4 responded to a call about a hiker experiencing a medical emergency and needing immediate transport to a hospital.
The helicopter crashed upon landing killing the pilot, Marc Gann, 63, who died at the scene, and a crew member, Samuel Russell, 43, who succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. A third crew member was hospitalized in critical condition.
No patient was on board at the time of the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash with help from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The hiker experiencing the medical emergency eventually got transported to the hospital by another crew.
