MADISON COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – Three people have died after a medical helicopter crashed near the Natchez Trace in Madison County.

According to Heath Hall, a spokesman for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the helicopter crashed in a heavily wooded area south of the Natchez Trace Parkway and north of Pipeline Road on Monday, March 10.

Officials with the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) said two UMMC employee crew members and a Med-Trans pilot were on board the AirCare helicopter at the time of the crash. No patient was on board.

Dr. LouAnn Woodward, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at UMMC, said AirCare 3, based in Columbus, had flown to the Medical Center to transport a patient and was returning to Columbus when the accident occurred about 12:30 p.m. Woodward said the victims’ families have been notified. The victims have not been identified.

“Our most immediate step is trying to support the families involved, the families of the individuals that lost their lives today, as well as the families here at work who cared about these healthcare professionals,” said Woodward.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the crash.

Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) released the following statement on social media about the crash:

First Lady of Mississippi Elee Reeves and I are praying for the victims of today’s helicopter crash in Madison County.

Please keep the victims’ families and coworkers in your prayers.

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.

Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.)