Four killed in air-ambulance plane crash

ELKO, Nevada — An air-ambulance plane taking a heart-disease patient to a Utah hospital crashed in a parking lot in northern Nevada, killing all four people aboard and sending up explosions and flames.

Three crew members and a patient were killed in the Friday night crash in Elko, American Medflight said Saturday in a statement.

Elko police Lt. Rich Genseal said the twin-engine plane apparently “experienced mechanical problems” as it was climbing after taking off on a flight for Salt Lake City, then lost altitude and crashed, the Elko Daily Free Press reported.

The identities of the victims were not released by authorities, but Debbi and Jim Urresti of Elko, said their 29-year-old daughter, Tiffany, was killed in the crash.

The twin-engine plane crashed in a mining company’s parking lot near a casino and other businesses near Elko Regional Airport and Interstate 80.

American Medflight, which is based in Reno, Nevada, did not immediately respond to email and telephone requests for comment. But president John Burruel said in a statement that the company was cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration as they investigated the crash.

“As an air medical family, we are mourning the loss of our crew members and patient. Their families have been notified, and they are in our thoughts and prayers,” Burruel said.