Medical copter crashes in Texas; 1 dead, 3 hurt

WICHITA FALLS, TX -- Authorities say a medical helicopter has crashed a few blocks away from a North Texas hospital where it was headed, killing a patient it was transporting and seriously injuring the pilot and two medical personnel who were onboard.

The Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter crashed just before 2 a.m. Saturday in downtown Wichita Falls, a city near the Oklahoma border.

Wichita Falls Fire Chief Jon Reese tells the Times Record News that the helicopter was taking the patient from Waurika, Oklahoma, to United Regional Health Care in Wichita Falls when it crashed.

He says the patient died at the scene and the pilot is in serious but stable condition at United Regional. He says the flight nurse and paramedic are in critical condition at a hospital burn unit in Dallas.