Neshoba County nurse among 3 dead in medical helicopter crash

A Neshoba County flight nurse is among the three who died in a medical helicopter crash on Monday northeast of Madison.

Dustin Pope, 35, the flight nurse who was also the base supervisor for UMMC AirCare in Columbus, was among those who perished.

Jakob Kindt, 37, a critical care paramedic from Tupelo, was also killed with 62-year-old pilot Cal Wesolowski of Starkville. 

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office was on the scene of the crash with confirmed fatalities just south of the Natchez Trace Parkway, where the Pearl River turns into the Ross Barnett Reservoir, according to MCSO spokesman Heath Hall.

The pilot reported “a flight control problem” shortly before a Monday crash that killed all three people on board, federal authorities said, the Associated Press reported. 

Investigators found marks in trees consistent with the aircraft's rotor striking them, National Transportation Safety Board member J. Todd Inman said at a Tuesday briefing near the crash site.

The funeral service for Pope will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Macedonia Revival Center, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. until time for the service.

There has been a local outpouring of support and concern for Pope on social media.

“In getting to know Dustin Pope I found him to be one of the most genuine people I ever met,” his friend Michael Stokes wrote on Facebook. “He loved his family and he loved the Lord. He had a love for life and a way of making people smile and laugh. I consider it an honor to call him a friend the past few years. Keep his family in your prayers as they face an immeasurable loss.”

The scene of the crash was reported to be “a heavily wooded area south of the Natchez Trace and north of Pipeline Road,” Hall said. Deputies responded to the call at about 1:15 p.m..

Hall said further information on the cause of the crash will have to come from the Federal Aviation Administration.

“We are now awaiting the arrival from the FAA,” he said. “Any other information should come from them.” 

According to flightradar24.com, the aircraft was a University of Mississippi Medical Center AirCare helicopter operated by Med-Trans and coming from Aberdeen.

He is survived by his wife and three young children.

This story will be updated when more information becomes available.