Andrews-based air ambulance crashes in Macon County

Franklin – Four people survived when an air ambulance en route from Murphy to Asheville crashed in Macon County about 7 p.m. Thursday.

Investigators were on scene Friday following the crash of Life Force 6, a medical helicopter based at Western Carolina Regional Airport near Andrews. The helicopter crashed in the Burningtown community west of the Macon County Airport and northwest of Franklin.

The helicopter was transporting a patient from Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Peachtree to Mission Hospital in Asheville when it declared a flight emergency, Macon County 911 Communications Supervisor Todd Seagle said.

There were four people on board – the patient and three crew members. Three people were transported by ground ambulance to Mission Hospital. One person was taken to Angel Medical Center for evaluation.

The two paramedics on-board the craft were Andy Lynn and Mike Van Beers. Lynn is a resident of Graham County. Names of the pilot and patient were not immediately available.

Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe said the aircraft sustained severe damage, but there was no fire at the crash. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

Wreckage from the crash was still blocking a stretch of Middle Burningtown and Olive Hill roads. Middle Burningtown Road will be closed at least until late in the day Friday as investigators attempt to determine the cause of the crash.