VENTURA (JAN. 2) – Reports are coming in that a helicopter crash occurred near Ventura Wednesday evening.
Our sources indicated that there are possible fatalities. The crash was near 260th Street and Balsam Avenue.
We will publish more information once confirmation can be made on other details that are coming in.
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UPDATE FROM MERCY HOSPITAL, THURSDAY, JAN. 3, 2013: “Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa is devastated to confirm that its medical helicopter, Mercy Air Med, went down en route to Emmetsburg at about 9:00 p.m. Wednesday. They were each selfless healthcare professionals devoted to the delivery of emergency medical care. While they fulfilled significant duties, they played a greater role as our neighbors and friends.”
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MORE FROM MERCY, JAN. 3:
Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa is devastated to confirm that its medical helicopter, Mercy Air Med, went down en route to Emmetsburg at about 9:00 p.m. Wednesday.
The three people on board – a nurse, Shelly (Shell) Lair-Langenbau; a paramedic, Russell (Russ) Piehl, and a pilot with Med-Trans, the helicopter service, did not survive the incident. There was not a patient on board.
“I know their colleagues in healthcare are grieving the loss with their loved ones,” said Dan Varnum, President/CEO, Mercy – North Iowa. “The entire organization and I send prayers to all who knew them. They were committed and dedicated to serving the people of Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota.
“They were each selfless healthcare professionals devoted to the delivery of emergency medical care. While they fulfilled significant duties, they played a greater role as our neighbors and friends.”
The cause of the incident is unknown. Mercy – North Iowa is working closely with law enforcement officials and the FAA who are investigating the accident.
Members of Mercy – North Iowa’s Spiritual Care Department and counselors were available Wednesday and will continue to be available to provide support.
Watch raw video:
httpv://youtu.be/uiu4jWRSFfs
WOW, how truelly saddening that the realist thinks his thinking is right, i have read NIT comments and have had to bite my tongue because of my position on alot of things but this isn’t one of them. Where is the compassion from the realist. These families are heartbroken and have lost of piece of themselves.Its sad when someone can turn a tragedy into a salary and something heartless. You are making yourself out to be an idiot. I guess the shoe must fit. I work in worth county and the whole community is saddened by this. Mr. REALIST I will be the one to answer the phone when you call 911 with an emergency and i will do whatever i can to help whether or not you are ignorant, not because I make sooo much money but because I love what I do. I will do it for you or anyone else regardless of who are what they are.
To all the families of these 3 lost HEROES I am apologizing for the ingnorence of the realist.
I think NIT needs to ban “the realist” from this site.
To the Moron known as the realist,
Get real and identify yourself. Do you enjoy the freedoms this country provides you? Do you sleep better at night not having a clue on what is happening everyday in this country to stop terrorist attacks? Do you remember what happened that day in Sept years ago? Do you think I’ve spent the last 23 years on active duty in the military and continue to do so this day for a paycheck? Do you think my Sister that gave her life so others can live, did it for a paycheck? Do you think her husband, who puts his life in danger everyday as a Sheriff, does it for a paycheck? Some people have pride in what they do, some people have service before self in what they do, some people have integrity, and some people actually dedicate their life in helping others. You are an ignorant, selfish, MORON. Go ask her 2 little girls what her salary is, MORON. Or better yet, go and post another ignorant comment, as it is very clear that is all you know how to do. The people can let you have it MORON. They can tell you what a MORON you really are.
For those that may think Peter L is the realist, I don’t think so, and would be surprised if it was. I’ve know him all my life, he knows me, he may be opinionated, but he is not without compassion, as he has suffered tragic loss in his life as well.
Mr. Lair, thank you for your statement. You are also a hero, and thank you for your service and dedication to this great Nation. I hope everything you have given in your sacrifices will be returned to you ten fold, whether you think you deserve it or not. Also, I am sickened at the fact that someone on here would ask about the wages that your beloved sister made, it is just disgusting in my opinion. I am very sorry for you loss. If you were not aware, North Iowa lost another hero in the name of Jon Tumilson, a Navy Seal from Rockford Iowa not too long ago in a Helicopter crash. I think the reasoning why some may believe that some of the repulsive statements made on this blog may be coming from Mr. L is the fact that Mr. L said some awful things pertaining to Mr. Tumilson’s death. Such as, he wasn’t a hero. Also, complaining about the motorcycles that led Mr. Tumilson’s body to his final resting place, in regards to their loud tailpipes. Mr. Lair, under no circumstances, should you or anyone in your family be stricken with such nasty remarks at this time that come from the “REALIST”. But take heed, these were some of the same common remarks that came form Mr. L mouth at one time. If it is not him making these statements under the name of the “REALIST” then people should apologize. But just know, these remarks are typical of what he once said and that is why people are making assumptions. Not sure if you can search Jon Tumilson’s name in the search engine here and see what was written, but if so, as a Veteran, it would make you sick. Thank you for your time sir.
I’m sorry, Peter, did you say something??
No, I didn’t. I wrote something, though. And considering you addressed me by name, pretty obvious that you read it. Would seem that’s the best response you can come up with.
You flap your pie hole behind the computer how about you post your real name just so we all know who you are the next time we see you on the street jackass.
Thanks for all your services Peter!
First of all, in addition to being a firefighter and paramedic at MCFD, I also worked as a flight pararmedic with Mercy Air Med. I worked with Russ Piehl, Shell Langenbau and had the privilege of flying with Gene Grell. They are all friends of mine and I loved them and miss them dearly.
You want to know what their salaries were? WHY? Is it because you are so undervalued as an employee yourself or because you undervalue your own work that you think a human being’s worth or their value as an employee is strictly tied in to the amount of their annual salary?
How small-minded of you!
Let me tell you a little big about Gene, Shell and Russ. Those are the type of people who are going to get rudely awoken at 2 a.m. and get on a helicopter to come help pull you out of a wrecked car. They are the type of people who are going to transport your sick loved one from a small hospital to a bigger one with more resources and make sure that your loved one stays alive long enough to get them there. They are the ones who are going to reassure you and your family members that everything is going to be okay and then back it up with impeccable medical skills. They are the ones who have a statistically dangerous job and do it because they LOVE doing it. Who else is going to do that job? YOU? Give me a break! You could never handle doing what they do and you couldn’t do it a TENTH as well as they could even if you tried!
They’re the ones who are going to be there for you when you need them or when your loved ones need them. They’re going to put their own safety ahead or yours or your loved ones. They’re going to provide hope and healing to you and your family when you need it the most.
They’re going to give you and your loved ones peace of mind and expert medical care when you need it the most.
And all you care about is what they make? Do you really want to know what they make? If so, I’ll tell you……THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!! THAT’S WHAT THEY MAKE!!!!!!!!!!
Peter — great reply to the comment made by “the realist”. I responded to his unbelievable comment as soon as I read it. We are wasting our time replying to him. Thank you for your service to our country as well as your service as a Firefighter and EMT.
Great Response Peter. Don’t let jerks like the realist get to you. It sure sounds like the crap Peter L used to put out on here.
Right on Peter. Well written, well thought out, well said. My condolences to you on the loss of your 3 freinds. Also my condolences to their family. I didn’t know any of the 3 but I do know they served North Iowa very well. May they RIP
Thank you, Peter, for your service as well as your thoughts. Good seeing you at WOW now and then too. Take care!
I am sad to learn of this incident, and it’s effect on the families involved and Hospital staff. These people did what they did because they like to help others and were experienced and trained for it.
Now then to the great thoughts from others:
“How about printing the salaries of these selfless
healthcare professionals? “
Why? What possible reason could one have for asking such an insensitive question like this? I suggest you made the comment to stir up controversy that does not even exist.
“This must have been a rookie pilot.”
What makes him a rookie pilot? Do you even know the qualifications and ratings? Back up your words with bit of fact, to which, you do NOT have.
Here is a novel idea, let the FAA and NTSB do what they are paid to do, and investigate this incident. They have the expertise and intelect you lack!
You both are pretty daft!
People – You’re making these people out to be heroes. They were employees doing their jobs. If it wasn’t for the money, they would not have been where they were. The same as policemen, firefighters, and soldiers. They chose the line of work, they chose the dangers. Is it tragic? Yes. And my sympathy goes out to their relatives and friends. But the reality here is that if you choose to put yourself in harm’s way, you are nothing more then a victim of your own choice.
@ The Realist-Is that you Peter L. It sure sound just like the prattle Peter L used to spread.
They weren’t heros because they died, they are heros because of how they lived.
The funny thing is that my three friends who died in that crash would agree with you. They didn’t see themselves as heroes, either. But, then again, REAL heroes never do. And there are some jobs and some lines of work in this world that people don’t do for the money. They do them because the work itself is more rewarding than any salary they are paid. Anyone who works in the fire service, EMS, law enforcement, health care or the military already knows that. I’d explain it further to you, realist, but you wouldn’t understand anyway.
Sad event. One thing is that these 3 very special people died doing something they loved and had a passion for. Not all of us will meet the good lord in such a manner. Prayers for their loved ones.
Turn over any rock in town and you can find idiots like the realist.
The Realist sounds a lot like Mr. L, once again. People, put two and two together. Shameful remarks during this time.
This is a horrible, sad event. But PLEASE have some consideration for the families and keep negative comments to yourself. Also it was upsetting to see one of the victim’s name on facebook just a short time after the accident. What if all the family members had not been contacted yet. Social media has made some people disrespectful and selfish.
Prayers to the families and their work families at Mercy.
We the people deserve to know who it was. Just like when stuff is put out there on mugshots about a crime made.
Someone’s death and someone’s arrest are completely different.
I just asked a simple question.
That simple question was not appropriate considering that 3 great people lost their lives tring to help someone else.
Just still do not understand why you would even think of asking that after that kind of tragedy.
No you didn’t. You asked a really inconsiderate and dumb fukin question you thoughtless POS.
Simple question from a simple mind.
To the “realist” – Seriously? You only care about how much money those people made? These people were someone’s mom, dad, aunt, uncle, sister, brother, grandaughter, grandson and friend.
All of these people have to try to go on with their lives with an hole in it that can never be filled. Shame on you for have the guts to ask something like this. This was a tragedy beyond words. God Bless all of the family and friends that were affected by this accident.
This must have been a rookie pilot. Its sad that because he couldn’t fly the helicopter someone in Emmetsburg died.
Wow – How do you know he was a rookie pilot? We do not know why this helicopter crashed so why in the world would you spectulate on this. These people risk their lives everyday to save others. To say what you said is just awful.
Are you and “realist” related?
“This must have been a rookie pilot.”
Over 2700 flight-hours, hardly a “rookie”.
“Its sad that because he couldn’t fly the helicopter someone in Emmetsburg died.”
Its sad because 3 people died north of Ventura.
Now we know how gossip gets started. Someone who knows nothing at all makes assumptions and spreads them around. Duh.
didn’t he have over 3000 hours flying- zip your mouth gramma jean.
Shelly was an AWESOME nurse! I’m very proud to report that I worked with her years ago and found her to be exceptional – both in her skills and her ability to relate and work with others. She was a nurse’s nurse if there ever was one. I’m blessed to have known her.
My heart goes out to her family on her loss. She will be missed personally as well as professionally.
My thoughts and prayers are also with Russ’ family as well as the pilot’s family. This is a terrible loss for all.
Mercy Medical – How about printing the salaries of these selfless healthcare professionals? I am interested in seeing where some of that insurance money you pull in goes.
You are about the biggest, heartless loser I have ever seen! Someday you are going to need someone to save your life and pray that it isn’t someone who gives so much of themselves on a daily basis. These people earned every cent they earned and what they earned has NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT HAPPENED HERE! GET A LIFE!
The REAL thing here is…i’d love to break your jaw for your lack of a brain with a comment like that at a time like this.
This is a terrible, terrible thing to happen. They were al vibrant, professional health workers who were just trying to help people. My deepest condolences to the family’s.
This is just so sad. I feel terrible for the families of these people who were on their way to help another person.
My heart and prayers go out to the family and friends.
A real sad day in the death of these fine people.