JACKSON, Miss. – The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) has officially identified the three crew members who tragically lost their lives in the March 10 AirCare helicopter crash.

According to a press release from UMMC, the victims include:

• Dustin Pope, 35, of Philadelphia, Mississippi, who served as the base supervisor for AirCare in Columbus and was a flight nurse.
• Jakob Kindt, 37, of Tupelo, Mississippi, a critical care paramedic.
• Cal Wesolowski, 62, of Starkville, Mississippi, the Med-Trans pilot operating the flight.

Both Pope and Kindt had been dedicated members of UMMC’s AirCare team since joining the Medical Center on August 14, 2017.

In the wake of this tragic incident, AirCare Transport Services have been temporarily grounded as UMMC collaborates with healthcare and medical transportation providers statewide to ensure continued emergency care for Mississippians.

The Medical Center has also emphasized its commitment to supporting the families of the victims, as well as the AirCare and Mississippi Center for Emergency Services teams, during this difficult time.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.