Local News
Victims Identified After Three Medical Helicopter Crew Members Killed in Owenton Crash
A somber mood hangs over Kentucky following the tragic crash of a medical helicopter on Monday evening in Owen County. Three crew members lost their lives in the accident, which occurred near Kentucky Highway 22 East.
Kentucky State Police confirmed the identities of the deceased as Pilot Gale “Butch” Alleman, Flight Nurse Bethany Aicken, and Flight Paramedic James Welsh.
The Owen County coroner pronounced them dead at the scene.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the helicopter, a Bell 206, went down around 6 p.m.
According to Air Evac Lifeteam, the air medical service company operating the helicopter, the crew members were from their Grant County base (AEL 133) and were en route to pick up a patient when the crash happened.
“This is a terribly sad event, and our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of our employees,” a spokesperson for Air Evac Lifeteam expressed in a statement. “Our top priority right now is supporting the impacted families and our team members. We have deployed critical incident stress management teams to assist everyone during this difficult time.”
The spokesperson added that Air Evac Lifeteam is cooperating fully with the investigations being conducted by both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The NTSB expects investigators to arrive at the scene on Tuesday afternoon. However, they cautioned that uncovering the cause and circumstances surrounding the crash will be a lengthy process.
“A preliminary report will be issued within 30 days of the accident,” an NTSB statement explained. “This report will contain factual information gathered during the initial investigation phase.
Determining the probable cause of the crash, along with any contributing factors, will be detailed in the final report, which is expected to take 12 to 24 months to complete.”
The NTSB urged anyone with information or surveillance footage that might aid their investigation to contact them via email at witness@ntsb.gov.
The crash also caused a brief power outage for multiple Owen Electric Cooperative, Inc. customers around 6:30 p.m. Thankfully, power was restored to all affected areas just 20 minutes later by 6:50 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio – A 24-year-old woman tragically lost her life following a motorcycle crash on Columbus’ West Side Friday evening, according to the Columbus Police Department.
The victim, identified as Katelan Phares, was traveling eastbound on Scioto Darby Creek Road near the intersection of Woodson Drive when she lost control of her motorcycle while navigating a left-hand curve.
According to an official police statement, Phares’ BMW S 1000 motorcycle slid into a guardrail, causing her to be thrown from the vehicle.
The motorcycle then landed on top of her.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported Phares to OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in critical condition.
Despite lifesaving efforts, she was pronounced deceased at 6:08 p.m.
The Columbus Police Accident Investigation Unit has launched an investigation into the crash to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities urge anyone with relevant information to come forward as the investigation remains ongoing.