LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Three people died Monday evening when a medical helicopter crashed in Owen County, Kentucky.

According to Kentucky State Police, the three people on board who died in the crash were crew members for Air Evac Lifeteam: Gale Alleman, Bethany Aicken and James Welsh. A GoFundMe page for Welsh has already raised more than $16,000.

The medical helicopter was headed to a medical transport during the crash. 

"Air Evac Lifeteam is heartbroken to share that three crew members from AEL base 133 perished in a helicopter accident in Owenton, Kentucky today," Air Evac Lifeteam said in a statement on Facebook on Monday night, adding that the crew, based out of Grant County, Kentucky, was on their way to a scene to pick up a patient at the time of the accident."

According to the Federal Aviation Administration website, a Bell 206 helicopter crashed about 6 p.m. off East Highway 22 in Owenton, about 80 miles east of Louisville. The initial incident notice from the FAA said the helicopter crashed after hitting a guy-wire.

"This was a terribly tragic accident, and our deepest sympathies go out to the employees' families and friends," Air Evac Lifeteam's statement continued. "Our primary focus now is on supporting the families who were impacted as well as our team members."

The FAA said it will investigate along with the National Transportation Safety Board, which will arrive on scene Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson said.

All three medical professionals on board were killed.

"Once on scene, the investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft," the NTSB said Tuesday. "Part of the investigation will be to request radar data, weather information, maintenance records and the pilot’s medical records. NTSB investigators will look at the human, machine and environment as the outline of the investigation. During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident."

An NTSB report on the crash is expected within 30 days, though that will be preliminary. The NTSB said a final report, including a probable cause of the crash, will be expected in 12-24 months. 

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