OWENTON, Ky. — We are learning new details about the people who died in the helicopter crash in northern Kentucky on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.
The FAA said the Air Evac Lifeteam medical helicopter was picking up a patient in Owenton when it hit a guy-wire and came crashing down, causing a fire.
Kentucky State Police confirmed the three crew members on board died in the crash.
The crew was part of Air Evac Lifeteam Base 133 from Grant County.
Kentucky State Police is investigating the deaths of Gale Alleman, Bethany Aicken and James Welsh.
The team serviced many hospitals, including the St. Elizabeth Grant Hospital. The hospital released a statement.
“Flight crew members were well known to our Grant County team and others in our system, and their work has been invaluable to the entire community. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends of the three heroic flight crew members who lost their lives last night in service to their community,” said Guy Karrick, spokesperson for St. Elizabeth.
Gale Alleman was the pilot of the Bell 206 helicopter. The National Transportation Safety Board said Alleman was hired six years ago and had over 17,000 hours of flight experience with multiple types of ratings for planes and helicopters.
Bethany Aicken was a nurse on board. She studied nursing at the University of Louisville and graduated in 2008, according to UofL.
James Welsh was a paramedic on the flight. Before he was hired by Air Evac Lifeteam, Welsh was a paramedic for Lincoln County Emergency Medical Services for over five years. Lincoln County EMS released a statement about Welsh.
“James was an exceptional paramedic, employee and friend. His personality and attitude would light up any room, and he had the ability to make everyone around him smile. I can’t imagine how many lives this young man has saved and had an influence on during his career,” said Ashley Powell, Executive Director Lincoln County EMS.
Powell also said in the statement that Welsh is married to his wife Haley, who is pregnant with the couple’s child.
Spectrum News 1 reached out to family members, friends and coworkers of the crew. Some we spoke with declined interviews at this time.
The NTSB and the FAA are investigating what lead to the crash.