The top elected official of the county where the Air Evac Lifeteam that went down Monday night was stationed says the loss of three people aboard the chopper is devastating. Before being elected Grant County judge-executive, Chuck Dills was the longtime county sheriff. He said first responders plan for everything except something happening to themselves.
“You just don't think of it. And that's not part of the planning. You react to situations and and as I've told several you know, there are first responders that go out every day to save a life not thinking of losing their own life.”
Dills said members of the Air Evac unit are frequent visitors to area schools.
“My daughter had asked if I knew which ones it was, and I was just curious of how she would know them. And they actually came to her school and told about Evac.”
In a statement, the company said mental health services are available for their team members and anyone else in need. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration’s preliminary report states the helicopter struck a guywire, crashed and burst into flames.
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