The crash of a University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clincs Med Flight helicopter near the La Crosseairport Saturday night claimed the lives of three people.
A press release from UW Health Public Affairs identifies thedead as Dr. Darren Bean, Registered Nurse Mark Coyne and Pilot Steve Lipperer. Thehelicopter and crew left the La CrosseAirport at approximately 10:30Saturday night, after having transported a patient from Madisonto Gunderson Lutheran Hospital.No communication was received from the crew after departure, and searchers locatedthe crash site, about four miles from the airport, at about 8:40 Sunday morning.
According to the press release , the aircraft was a newAmerican Eurocopter EC13, leased in the last year from Air Methods. UW officialshad no details on what might have happened. Preliminary reports indicate thatthe aircraft may have flown into a hill and/or struck some trees. Followingstandard protocol, the second Med Flight helicopter has been temporarily takenout of service.
