Medical Helicopter Crash in Mississippi Claims Three Lives

MADISON COUNTY, Miss. — A tragic accident occurred on Monday, March 10, 2025, when a medical transport helicopter crashed in a rural area of Madison County, Mississippi, resulting in the deaths of all three individuals on board.

The helicopter, an AirCare aircraft operated by Med-Trans Corporation and affiliated with the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), was returning to its base in Columbus after completing a patient transport. The crash occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Those who lost their lives in the crash were:

• Jakob Kindt, 37, a critical care paramedic for AirCare.
• Dustin Pope, 35, a base supervisor for AirCare.
• Cal Wesolowski, 62, the pilot.

"The entire Medical Center family is heartbroken over this," stated Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs at UMMC, during a press conference. She emphasized the profound loss felt by the medical community.

According to UMMC, this was the first fatal crash in the 29 years that the AirCare emergency services have been operational.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves expressed his condolences, stating on social media, "It's a tragic reminder of the risks Mississippi's first responders take every day to keep us safe. Our state will never forget the sacrifice of these heroes."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations to determine the cause of the crash.

The incident has deeply impacted the community and serves as a somber reminder of the risks faced by those who provide critical medical transport services.