Vanderbilt LifeFlight crash kills one, injures two in Wilson County

A Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter crashed in Wilson County, Tennessee, on Saturday afternoon, leaving one crewmember dead and two others critically injured.

The crash occurred around 2pm on Saturday near Cairo Bend Drive, according to officials. The aircraft went down in a field, and no patients were on board at the time.

A spokesperson for Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) confirmed that three crewmembers were on the helicopter. In a statement, they said: “Vanderbilt University Medical Center is deeply saddened to confirm that a Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter was involved in an accident this afternoon in Wilson County. Three crewmembers were on board. Tragically, one crewmember lost their life, and two others are in critical condition and receiving care at Vanderbilt University Hospital. No patients were on board at the time of the incident.

“Our hearts and deepest sympathies are with our Vanderbilt LifeFlight colleagues, their families and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Residents in the area described being startled by the sudden influx of emergency vehicles on what they called a quiet, dead-end road.

“It’s just crazy to think that actually happened in our backyard,” one neighbor told local media. “You don’t really see police out here either, so when I came over that hill, there was every single agency out here, I guess investigating or whatnot, so it was just crazy.”

Another resident said a neighbor had witnessed the crash and rushed to help. “He helped pick the pilot and co-pilot out,” he said. “The helicopter… it’s sitting on its side, almost rolled over. It didn’t catch on fire, but it did have a lot of damage.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of the crash.

In August, US-based air services operator CSI Aviation announced the deaths of four crewmembers following a crash in Chinle, Arizona.