Mother of 2, grandfather among 3 killed in Rockford Memorial helicopter crash
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[QUOTE] COMPTON — A Rockford Memorial Hospital REACT helicopter crew had encountered unspecified bad weather and had intended to turn back for home when it crashed in a field near Compton about 8:30 p.m. Monday, killing all three crew members on board.
Pilot Andy Olesen and flight nurses Jim Dillow and Karen Hollis were killed in what hospital officials said was the first crash in the 25-year history of the REACT helicopter program. They had been called to Mendota Community Hospital to pick up a critically ill patient about 7:30 p.m., said Gary Kaatz, president and CEO of Rockford Health System.
“Our hearts are with the families of Jim, Karen and Andy,” Kaatz said. “Our Rockford Health System family and in particular their co-workers at REACT, in critical care and in emergency services are in shock this morning. We ask for the community to join us in keeping all of them in your thoughts and prayers.”
The crash was in a Lee County farm field in the vicinity of U.S. 30 and Illinois 251. No patients were on board the craft when it crashed.
Stunned co-workers were being offered counseling if needed as they grieved, officials said. The crew was specially trained in emergency medicine and helicopter ambulance services according to information from hospital officials:
Flight nurse Jim Dillow, 40, joined Rockford Memorial in 1996. He was critical care and emergency room nurse with more than 10 years experience as a flight nurse.
Flight nurse Karen Hollis, 48, joined the hospital in 1986 and worked as a critical care nurse. She had served in leadership positions including clinical resource coordinator and had more than 10 years experience as a flight nurse.
Pilot Andy Olesen, 65, worked for Air Methods, a contractor that works for Rockford Memorial. He was an experienced pilot who began flying for Air Methods in 1994 and had been pilot for REACT for five years, officials said.
Olesen was planning to retire next week, said Ralph Kuespert, pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Rockford, where Olesen and his wife, Pat, have been members for years. Officials were not able to confirm his specific retirement plans but said he had discussed retiring soon.
“He was looking forward to his retirement, and in the future, talked about moving to Texas to be nearer his children and grandchildren,” Kuespert said.
Kuespert said Olesen was a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam war when he served in the Army. Olesen liked to play golf, Kuespert said, recalling a threesome both Kuespert and Olesen were members of this year at the Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries golf outing. “He saved us a number of times, in terms of winning holes,” Kuespert said.
[url]http://www.rrstar.com/breaking/x1926897850/Victims-IDd-in-REACT-helicopter-crash-in-Lee-County[/url][/QUOTE]
Local helicopter crash. Happened last night didn't hear about it till just now.
Pretty sad, I've always enjoyed watching the helicopter fly around the area.
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