Durango (AP) Three people killed Thursday when their medical evacuation helicopter crashed in southwest Colorado are being identified as Durango residents. The three victims are the pilot, 40–year–old Jim Saler, and two emergency medical workers, Bill Podmayer, 49, and Scott Hyslop, 33. The men worked at Mercy Medical Center in Durango.
Hospital officials say the deaths are a tragic loss for the
tight–knit community. Friends and co–workers are finding solace knowing the men died trying to help someone in need.
The crew was called to the site of a logging accident in the San Juan National Forest where a worker suffered a broken leg and head injuries.
No patients were on board when the Tri–state Careflight
helicopter crashed while preparing to land in the wooded area about 30 miles west of Durango.
Copyright 2005 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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