EagleMed officials say they're still trying to learn more about what led to a helicopter crash, killing two of three people on board.
Around eight o'clock Thursday night, an EagleMed A-Star 350 based out of Oklahoma City went down near Kingfisher. The town is about 45 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.
Pilot Al Harrison, 56, and nurse Ryan Duke, 35, both died in the crash. Nurse/Paramedic Michael Eccard, 34, was transported to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, where he remains in serious condition.
The helicopter did not have any patients on board and was on its way to pick up a patient.
Dr. Steven Henson, executive director of EagleMed, says the news was difficult to take. On Friday morning, he was still waiting to get an official briefing on what might have brought the helicopter down.
"It's really hard," said Dr. Henson. "That's a part of our business. We have a dangerous profession. That's why we're of a kindred spirit with all pre-hospital patrols, whether it be police or firefighters or EMS paramedics."
An EagleMed spokeswoman tells Eyewitness News that many of the company's managers traveled to Oklahoma City since receiving news of the crash.
A press release from EagleMed says Harrison was a highly trained and experienced rotor wing pilot and had been employed by EagleMed for nearly 10 years. Duke joined EagleMed less than a year ago.
Late Friday afternoon, EagleMed announced it had set up a Commerce Bank memorial fund in response to the "overwhelming support from the community." Donations on behalf of the Oklahoma City crews can be made to the following address:
EagleMed 918 Crew
6601 W. Pueblo
Wichita, KS 67209
