A medical helicopter run by Vanderbilt LifeFlight crashed in Wilson County, resulting in one fatality and two critical injuries among the crew. The incident occurred on the afternoon of November 8 in a rural area on Cairo Bend Road. As reported by WREG, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash of the Airbus Helicopter EC130T2 near Lebanon, with support from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Wilson County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that the crash happened in the 7100 block of Cairo Bend Road and it took place "a good ways off" the road. Urging motorists to find alternate routes, the area was cordoned off to facilitate emergency response and investigation. According to The Tennessean, Captain Scott Moore of the Wilson County Sheriff's office stated that the NTSB has taken over the investigation following their standard procedure for aircraft crashes.
There were no patients on board during the time of the accident, which significantly worsened the tragedy—a LifeFlight helicopter, designed in hurried wings to negotiate the delicate balance between life and death, this time carried its own crew towards a catastrophic fate. "Vanderbilt University Medical Center is deeply saddened to confirm that a Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter was involved in an accident this afternoon in Wilson County," reads a statement from the medical center obtained by EMS1. "Three crew members were on board. Tragically, one crew member lost their life, and two others are in critical condition and receiving care at Vanderbilt University Hospital."
The local community and emergency response teams from numerous counties have shown an outpouring of support for the victims and their families, with many using social media to share their condolences. Reported by WREG, Sumner County Mayor John Isbell expressed, "Please keep our partners, their families, and the crew members in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time." A procession honoring the deceased crew member was announced by the Mt. Juliet Police Department, asking the community to expect brief slowdowns as respects are paid.
Local residents have been impacted by the crash, with one, Jacob White, recounting to WREG the shocking sounds of the incident which he first mistook for an explosion. Another, Heather Thigpen, told WREG that knowing the crash happened so close to her home was "really a little startling." As details of the investigation into the cause of the crash unfold, the community remains united in care and concern for those affected by the tragedy.
