PERQUIMANS, Co., N.C. - Four people have died in a Friday afternoon helicopter crash.
The crash happened near Swamp Road in the Belvidere Community around 11:45 a.m.
The crash involved a Duke Life Flight which is an ambulance service.
A Sentara official said the helicopter departed from Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City at 10:53 a.m., and was going to Duke Medical Center.
Coleen Santa Ana, President of the Sentara Albemarle Medical Center, released the following statement about the crash:
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our patient and the dedicated professionals from Duke Life Flight. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the patient who was lost and to those closest to the crew members. We also extend our sincere sympathies to Duke University Medical Center on the loss of their colleagues. This tragedy reminds us of the devotion of healthcare professionals to the service of others.
Saturday afternoon Duke Life Flight released the identities of the victims: Pilot Jeff Burke and nurses Crystal Sollinger and Kris Harrison.
The fourth victim was identified as 70-year-old retired nurse Mary Bartlett of Elizabeth City. According to WRAL, she was being transported to Duke Hospital to receive treatment for internal bleeding after pancreatic surgery.
Mary Bartlett (Photo courtesy of Anthony Roger Warren)
