2 Iowa medical helicopter crash victims identified

Posted: Updated:

By CBS4 Newsroom

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) Authorities have identified two of three people who were killed when a medical helicopter crashed into a northern Iowa field.

Witnesses told deputies that the helicopter burst into flames when it went down around 9 p.m. Wednesday just north of Ventura in Cerro Gordo County.

The aircraft was affiliated with Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa and had been headed to Emmetsburg to pick up a patient. The hospital identified two of the victims: nurse Shelly Lair-Langenbau and paramedic Russell Piehl.

The pilot was not identified. The helicopter was operated by a Lewisville, Texas-based service company, Med-Trans Air Medical Transport. Company officials didn't immediately return messages left Thursday by The Associated Press.

Sheriff Kevin Pals says the crash cause is being investigated.

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2 Iowa medical helicopter crash victims identified - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

2 Iowa medical helicopter crash victims identified

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