Medical Helicopter Crash Claims Three in Tennessee

Two hospital workers and a pilot were killed when a medical helicopter crashed in Tennessee as the aircraft was headed to pick up an ailing child.

Le Bonheur Children's Hospital President and CEO Meri Armour says the Hospital Wing helicopter was cleared for both weather and flight plans when it took off Tuesday morning.

Armour said that the pilot and crew were experienced, and that they had a great helicopter.

Authorities began searching for the helicopter when it didn't respond during a routine check-in around 6:20 a.m.

Emergency officials found the helicopter's remains in a wooded section of Somervile, about 45 miles east of Memphis.

In a news release, the hospital identified those killed as 47-year-old pilot Charles Smith, 43-year-old nurse Carrie Barlow and 43-year-old respiratory therapist Denise Adams.

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