3 Victims Identified In Wisconsin Helicopter Crash

HAZELHURST, WI — Authorities have identified the three people who died in a Wisconsin helicopter crash which took place late Thursday.

Authorities are reporting that 34-year-old pilot Rico Caruso, of Hazelhurst; and medical personnel 43-year-old Gregory Rosenthal, of Mosinee; and 30-year-old Klint Mitchell, of Watersmeet, Michigan all died in the crash.

Ascension Health said they are suspending all air operations after the three were confirmed dead this week. The medical helicopter is owned by Ascension Health, and crashed late Thursday in in a wooded area outside the Town of Hazelhurt, Wis.

National Transportation Safey Board investigators are working through the weekend to determine the cause of the crash, according to a statement by NTSB officials.

A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Agency initially reported that an Ascension Wisconsin Spirit helicopter took off from Madison bound for Woodruff, only to crash 12 miles south of its destination late Thursday. A report from the Iron Mountain Daily News reported that the crew had just delivered a patient to Madison and was returning to its base.

According to a report out of the Oneida County Sheriff's office, the helicopter's last known position was reported just before 11 p.m. Thursday. By 11:22 p.m. the helicopter was reported missing.

A report from CBS 58 states that a witness who drove search crews tho the scene in an amphibious ATV said that the helicopter crashed in a heavily-wooded area with high ridges and some swamp land. As crews began their investigation, the helicopter's remains appeared as a heap of twisted and shredded metal surrounded by felled and tattered trees.

Image Via Shutterstock