News: 3 Killed In Medical Helicopter Crash In Southeast Ohio Identified

Authorities say three people aboard a medical helicopter have died in a crash in southeastern Ohio.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, they were notified by Survival Flight that communications was lost with one of their helicopters around at 7:20 a.m. Tuesday.


The helicopter departed Mount Carmel Grove City hospital and was flying to Holzer Meigs hospital in Pomeroy.

Troopers located the wreckage of a Bell 407 helicopter east of State Route 278 and south of King Hollow Trail in Vinton County.

The flight crew has been identified as 34-year-old Jennifer L. Topper, 48-year-old Bradley J. Haynes and 33-year-old Rachel L. Cunningham. Topper was the pilot and Haynes and Cunningham were flight nurses.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

Mount Carmel Health issued the following statement on behalf of Andrew Arthurs, VP of EMS Operations, Survival Flight:

"I am deeply saddened to share with you news of a heartbreaking event that occurred earlier this morning. A Survival Flight helicopter was involved in an accident in southeastern Ohio. Law enforcement confirmed that all three crew members on-board the helicopter did not survive. There were not any patients on-board. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating. We will share more information with you as it becomes available."

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