Four of the five people aboard a Maryland State Police Medevac helicopter have been killed in a crash that occurred on Sept. 28, in Prince George’s County.
The fatalities include the State Police pilot and flight paramedic, a fire/rescue medical provider and a patient. A second patient on-board survived the crash and has been transported to the Prince George’s Hospital Center.
Maryland State Police have confirmed the identifications of the victims from the crash. The deceased victims are identified as Stephen J. Bunker, 59 of Waldorf, the State Police pilot; Trooper First Class Mickey C. Lippy, 34 of Westminster, the State Police flight paramedic; Tanya Mallard, 39 of Waldorf, an EMT-B with the Waldorf Rescue Squad; and Ashley J. Younger, 17 of Waldorf, who was a patient being transported. The surviving victim of the crash is identified as Jordan A. Wells, 18 of Waldorf. Wells is currently undergoing treatment at the Prince George's County Hospital Center.
The crash occurred within a wooded area of the Walker Mill Regional Park, off of Berry Lane and Ritchie Road in Forestville. At about 11 p.m. yesterday, Maryland State Police helicopter, Trooper 2, was dispatched to the scene of a traffic crash in the Waldorf area. Trooper 2 responded from its hangar at the Andrews Air Force Base.
Trooper 2 picked up two female patients and a medical provider from the rescue squad to assist the State Police flight paramedic during the flight to the Prince George’s Hospital Center. During the flight, the helicopter disappeared from radar. State Police and Prince George’s County Police and Fire were notified and a search began.
Shortly before 2 a.m. today, the helicopter crash site was found. The helicopter was in a wooded area of the park. The four victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of the crash is not known at this time. Colonel Terrence Sheridan, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, is on the scene, as are State Police investigators. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have been notified and are on the scene.
Pilot Stephen Bunker had been with the Maryland State Police since 1972. He was a State Police corporal, who retired in 1998 and returned to service as a civilian pilot. He had flown for the Maryland State Police for more than 24 years. He was married and had three grown children. Mr. Bunker held a commercial pilot's license and was a certified flight instructor and a certified instrument flight instructor. He also had a single engine airplane pilot's license.
Trooper First Class Mickey Lippy was appointed to the Maryland State Police four years ago. He had been in the Aviation Command as a flight paramedic for since April of 2007. TFC Lippy was married. He had recently returned from family leave after the birth of his daughter, who is four months old.
Tanya Mallard was a dedicated member of the Waldorf Rescue Squad, at Station 12. She did not hesitate to join the crew of Trooper 2 this morning in their effort to save the lives of their two patients. She leaves behind her husband and two children.
Prior to the MSP Helicopter crash
Trooper 2 was in flight after responding to vicitms from an accident that occurred Saturday night, Sept. 27, at 10:45 p.m., on Smallwood Drive near New Forest Court in Waldorf. The investigation revealed a 2003 Ford Taurus was being driven south on Smallwood Drive when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The Taurus crossed the median, hit several trees and then crossed into the northbound lanes of Smallwood Drive where it struck a 1994 Honda CRX. The occupants of the Taurus were transported by Trooper 2, the Maryland State Police helicopter that later crashed. The occupants of the Honda were transported by ambulance to a hospital. The cause of the vehicle crash also remains under investigation.
