Air Evac Life Team lost three in Kentucky while helping those who lost everything in Hurricane Helena

By Beech Grove Volunteer Fire Chief James Gunter

Tragedy in Kentucky late yesterday afternoon as we learned of the crash of the AEL 133 medical helicopter. This morning it was reported that all 3 crew members perished in the accident.

Prayers going out for the families of Flight Nurse Bethany Aicken, Flight Paramedic James Welsh, and Pilot Gale Alleman and to all of their AEL family.

The medical helicopter based in Jasper is known locally as Air Rescue - Beaumont/Jasper, but is actually AEL 152, a part of the overall AEL umbrella of bases throughout the United States. The helicopter that crashed is a sister to the one in Jasper. The company is called Air Evac Lifeteam. They're a nationwide company with over 300 bases across the nation.