A memorial ceremony will be held today for three crew members of a medical helicopter that went down along the California/Nevada last weekend.

Services for pilot James Bradshaw, 39; flight nurse Clinton Reger, 40; and paramedic Christopher Ritz, 37, will be held near the Mountain Lifeflight Hanger, Susanville Municipal Airport, Susanville, Calif.

The Mountain Lifeflight helicopter was returning to its base in Susanville, Calif., after dropping off a patient at a Reno, Nev., hospital when it suddenly lost altitude and crashed after the pilot issued a brief mayday message at about 2 a.m. Saturday, the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) informed DOTmed News.

"Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the three crew members who were killed in this terrible accident; this is a tragedy for everyone involved and for the air-medical community," said MedEvac Foundation International Chair Kevin Hutton, MD. "And while we know that these grants will never make up for their loss, we do hope that the money being sent to the families through this fund will help them better cope with their immediate and unexpected financial needs."

The Family Grant Fund was established by MedEvac Foundation International, part of AAMS to provide monetary assistance to the families of crew members and patients killed or seriously injured in air medical accidents. The fund helps cover unanticipated expenses associated with the sudden loss of a loved one, including travel, lodging, food, childcare, leaves of absence, medical or burial expenses, and social services. The purpose of the fund is to provide aid to the grieving families and to remove their financial concerns so they can focus on taking care of emotional and other needs.

For details or to donate to the fund, contact Amber Bullington at 703-836-8732 or abullington(at)aams.org or visit http://www.medevacfoundation.org/.

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