A tragic day: AirCare accident claims three lives
Published on Monday, March 10, 2025
By: Annie Oeth, aoeth@umc.edu
Photos By: Melanie Thortis/UMMC Photography
The University of Mississippi Medical Center is offering support for the loved ones and colleagues of the three emergency responders killed in an AirCare crash Monday.
Dustin Pope, 35, of Philadelphia, base supervisor for AirCare in Columbus and a flight nurse, and Jakob Kindt, 37, a critical care paramedic, were on board, as was Cal Wesolowski, 62, of Starkville, a Med-Trans pilot. Pope and Kindt started working for UMMC the same day, Aug. 14, 2017. No patients were aboard the flight.
To honor the fallen crew today, UMMC law enforcement and emergency services personnel, along with several other agencies, escorted the victims in a processional from Madison County to the state crime lab in Pearl.
The helicopter, AirCare 3, had just transported a patient and had left UMMC for Columbus when the accident occurred over northern Madison County about 12:30 p.m.
Calling the day one of “terrible tragedy and loss,” Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs, said the Medical Center will put its resources to use in caring for those affected.
“The entire Medical Center family is heartbroken over this,” she said in a news conference Monday evening. “We also want to express our concern and sadness and support for the AirCare and Mississippi Center for Emergency Services team.”
The compassion and courage shown by this care team was a benefit to the Medical Center and the entire state, Woodward said.
“At a moment’s notice, they responded to emergency calls around the state with bravery, professionalism and genuine care,” she said.
AirCare is a hybrid relationship between UMMC and Med-Trans Corporation, with UMMC providing the clinical teams and Med-Trans providing the pilots and aircraft operations. This was the first crash in the 29-year history of the AirCare service.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. AirCare has been temporarily grounded, and UMMC is working with health care and medical transportation services around the state to meet the needs of Mississippians.
University of Mississippi chancellor Dr. Glenn Boyce offered condolences.
“I am heartbroken by the helicopter accident that claimed the lives of three first responders, including two UMMC employee crew members,” he said in a statement Tuesday. “These selfless individuals dedicated their careers and lives to saving others, often in the most critical moments.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and our colleagues during this devastating time. We also extend our deepest gratitude to the first responders who assisted at the scene.
“As we mourn, we honor and remember their courage, compassion and sacrifice.”
Mike LaMee, chief operating officer for Med-Trans, said news of the crash was heartbreaking.
“This devastating accident is a reminder of the heroic work done by flight teams in service to their communities,” he said. “Cal, Dustin, and Jakob were incredible human beings who dedicated their lives to saving others. We mourn their loss and honor their sacrifice.”
The pain of this loss will be felt by UMMC team members for some time, Woodward said.
“The support and resources of the Medical Center, including the RISE program and our Employee Assistance Program, are available to all who need help now and in the future,” she said. “UMMC will continue to provide support for the families of the fallen, our AirCare and Mississippi Center for Emergency Services teams and the countless others who worked with them in any way we can.”