Sheriff: Medical helicopter crash survivor seriously injured

A spokeswoman for Colorado-headquartered Air Methods, which owns the company operating the aircraft, announced Wednesday that 51-year-old pilot David Schneider and 38-year-old flight nurse Chad Frary were fatally injured in the crash.

The medical helicopter operated by SkyLife was transferring a patient in critical condition from Porterville Airport to the San Joaquin Community Hospital in Bakersfield, some 50 miles to the south. The company did not identify who died but said the third person on the aircraft was “safe”. It has been confirmed on the scene that the other two clearly are deceased. It was headed to Globe, several miles further east.

Babeu said the next challenge is to recover the bodies and wreckage from the mountainous terrain.

According to officials, the aircraft crashed in very rugged terrain in the Superstition Mountains and rescue operations were underway.

Pinal (pih-NAL’) County Sheriff Paul Babeu (BAB’-yoo) didn’t release names but said all three crew members were men from the Phoenix area.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety told the paper that it was first notified of the crash at about 8 p.m.

“We are deeply saddened by the news that two of our crew members were taken from us, and our hearts go out to their families and loved ones”.

The DPS helicopter crew saw the survivor signaling with a flashlight, Babeu said.

The cause of the crash is still being investigated by the NTSB and the FAA. “We will be back in touch with you once we have more information”.