Flight paramedic Stephen Fitzgerald and pilot Russell Haslam were among three people killed in an Air Evac helicopter crash over the weekend near Hydro.
According to multiple reports citing Air Evac Lifeteam officials, a medical helicopter was returning to base in Weatherford after dropping off a patient at a hospital in Oklahoma City on Saturday, January 20, when the control center lost contact with the crew.
Shortly after, they learned that the helicopter had crashed near Hydro, and three crew members, pilot Russell Haslam, flight nurse Adam Tippin, and flight medic Steven Fitzgerald, were identified as dead.
In a statement, the Air Evac Lifeteam, which identified the victims in the accident, expressed its gratitude to everyone who provided support in the aftermath of the accident. Part of the statement read:
“Thank you for all the support and love you have shown our Air Evac family during this difficult time. It is with a very heavy heart that we share with you the passing of three of our colleagues, Pilot Russell Haslam, Flight Nurse Adam Tippin, and Paramedic Stephen Fitzgerald.” In an air accident on the evening of January 20.”
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
What we know about the victims of the Air Evac helicopter crash
Following the helicopter crash, many people took to social media to honor the victims. In a Facebook post, EMSA Oklahoma, which provides EMS services, revealed this Stephen Fitzgerald He was a military veteran with whom he served having served the country “in Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine and Syria as a US Army flight medic.”
Shortly after his last mission, Fitzgerald reportedly returned to EMSA before joining the Air Evac Lifeteam.
Russell HaslamFriend Eddie Sprabari told KOCO TV that the late pilot, who served in the military for 30 years, was a loving father to two girls.
“The most important thing about Ross, and he wants me to say this too, was he was a father. He loved his daughters, and they meant the world to them. Besides that, he was his family.” Spurberry said.
Sprabari, who said his friend is the life of the party, revealed that he served with the late pilot in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
“Russ was the life of the party. People loved talking to him. When you talked to Russ face to face, you knew he was listening and really cared about what you had to say.”
After serving in the army for three decades, Hassan, who is described as a selfless person, is said to have retired and started serving his community as an Air Evac pilot.
Her friend Corey Stamp said in a Facebook post: Adam made hay, the third victim in the incident, was a Kansas native who worked as a charge nurse in the emergency department during the pandemic at Wesley Medical Center. Stumpf revealed that Tippin left Wesley for his dream job as a flight nurse.
According to KFOR reporter Taylor Mitchell, Tippin leaves behind a wife, a sister and two parents.
