Medical Helicopter Crashes in Texas; 1 Dead, 3 Hurt

Oct. 04--A medical helicopter crashed Saturday morning in Wichita Falls, Texas, leaving one Oklahoma patient dead.

The Duncan-based Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter was transporting a patient from Waurika to United Regional Hospital in Wichita Falls when it crashed shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday, according to a notice posted on the city of Wichita Falls Facebook page.

The patient died at the scene, officials said. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation officials said Saturday morning investigators think the patient was Buddy Rhodes, 26, of Waurika. Rhodes was shot at a Waurika apartment at about 11:30 p.m. Friday and was taken by helicopter to a Wichita Falls hospital, officials said.

Texas authorities haven't confirmed the patient's identity.

OSBI agents and Waurika police are investigating the shooting. No arrests have been made, OSBI officials said.

Hospital staff and an Air Evac Lifeteam crew based at the hospital pulled the pilot, flight nurse and flight paramedic from the wreckage. The pilot was listed in serious condition at United Regional Hospital Saturday morning. The flight nurse and flight paramedic were taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

The crash site was located just west of downtown Wichita Falls, city officials said. The area was closed to traffic Saturday morning.

Air Evac Lifeteam officials said in a news release that the cause of the crash was unknown. The company notified the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration following the crash, officials said.

Check NewsOK.com for updates.

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