UPDATE: Names released in fatal medical helicopter crash - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

UPDATE: Names released in fatal medical helicopter crash

Posted:
Courtesy Mercy Medical Center- Iowa North Courtesy Mercy Medical Center- Iowa North
MASON City, Iowa (KWWL) -

Authorities say three people are dead after a medical helicopter flying out of Mason City crashed into a field Wednesday night. 

A source at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa said the medical helicopter crashed just north of Ventura, in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa just after 9:00 p.m. Wednesday.

Multiple emergency crews were on scene, including crews from Ventura and Clear Lake.

Authorities say nurse Shelly Lair-Langenbau and paramedic Russell Piehl were killed in the crash.  The pilot, whose name has not been released, was also killed in the crash.

The helicopter, operated by Med-Trans Air Medical Transport, based in Lewisville, Texas, was headed to Emmetsburg to pick up a patient.

Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pals says the cause of the crash is being investigated.

Officials are holding a press conference at 10:00 a.m. Thursday in Mason City.  Watch KTIV and KTIV.com for the details.

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