1 dead, 2 injured after medical helicopter crashes in Tennessee
A Vanderbilt LifeFlight medical helicopter crashed on Saturday afternoon near Lebanon, Tennessee, killing one crew member and leaving two others critically injured, authorities said.
The crash occurred around 2:30 p.m. near the 7100 block of Cairo Bend Road in Wilson County. The helicopter, an Airbus EC130T2, went down in a field shortly after takeoff, according to local officials. There were no patients on board at the time.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center confirmed that all three people on board were members of the LifeFlight crew. “Tragically, one crew member lost their life, and two others are in critical condition and receiving treatment at Vanderbilt University Hospital,” the center said in a statement Saturday evening.
Emergency responders from the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, Lebanon Fire Department, and local EMS units rushed to the scene. The aircraft did not catch fire, but sustained significant damage upon impact.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing the helicopter lose altitude before crashing. “It came down fast and hit hard — it was terrifying,” one resident told local media.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports suggest that the helicopter may have clipped treetops before going down, though officials said it is too early to determine what led to the accident.
Authorities have not yet released the name of the deceased crew member pending family notification.
Vanderbilt LifeFlight, which operates multiple aircraft across Tennessee and neighboring states, has been providing emergency air transport for more than 40 years. The service temporarily suspended flight operations following the crash as investigators examined the wreckage and reviewed safety procedures.
Local officials have urged the public to avoid the area while the investigation continues. The NTSB said a preliminary report will be released in the coming days. (ILKHA)
LEGAL WARNING: All rights of the published news, photos and videos are reserved by İlke Haber Ajansı Basın Yayın San. Trade A.Ş. Under no circumstances can all or part of the news, photos and videos be used without a written contract or subscription.
The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, has declared its fighters will not surrender to Israeli forces in Rafah, placing full responsibility for the ongoing clashes on the Israeli occupation.
At least one person has died and dozens remain missing after a boat carrying around 90 people sank near the Thailand-Malaysia border, authorities confirmed on Sunday. Rescue operations are ongoing.
A tsunami advisory was issued for Iwate Prefecture on Sunday evening following a magnitude 6.7 earthquake that struck off the coast, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has issued a public call for investors to help develop a series of major hydropower projects across the country.