VENTURA – 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.
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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.
I’m sorry, Peter, did you say something??
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!!!!!!!!!!
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.
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.
I just asked a simple question.
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.
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.
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.