ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) – The pilot of a medical helicopter died late Friday in a crash at Saint Louis University Hospital. The pilot was the only person aboard. He has been identified as Ronald Rector, 52, of Lynn, MO.
The copter was heading from the ARCH Air Medical Services base along I-64 to the hospital to pick up a crew when it went down around 11:00pm near Spring Avenue and Rutger Street. The pilot died in the crash.
National Transportation Safety Board investigators are on the scene Saturday. The cause of the crash had not been determined.
Air Methods, the owner of the helicopter says the pilot was flying a EC-130. In a statement released Saturday, the company said it was cooperating fully with the FAA and NTSB.
There are several road closures around the scene of the crash, but patients can get to the hospital by following posted detours.
Dramatic video of ARCH medical helicopter on fire after crashing behind SLU Hospital. Pilot was the sole fatality. pic.twitter.com/739PWSiUHQ
— Mark Zinn (@NPNowZinn) March 7, 2015
Scene of ARCH Helicopter crash in south St. Lois still blocked off by police. @FOX2now pic.twitter.com/9XwO7edKjX
— George Sells (@GeorgeSells) March 7, 2015
For up to date news on helicopter crash at SLU Hospital go to @stltoday pic.twitter.com/2pWXjYuyYh
— David Carson (@PDPJ) March 7, 2015
1/2 @STLFireDept on scene of the helicopter accident on Rutger between S. Grand & S. Spring. #Fire extinguished; one fatality (pilot)
— St. Louis Fire Dept (@STLFireDept) March 7, 2015
