Operations had been suspended following fatal crash April 26

Ascension Wisconsin Spirit Medical Transport resumed air medical transport services from its Woodruff Base at Howard Young Medical Center, part of Ascension as Spirit 2 is now back in service.

“This is an important step in our recovery process and demonstrates the skill and professionalism of our air medical transport teams,” said Ted Ryan, system director of Medical Transport Services for Ascension Wisconsin.

A temporary replacement airbus helicopter arrived at the Woodruff base last week and crews have completed the necessary confidence flights and preparation to restore air medical transport services. Work on a permanent replacement aircraft is ongoing.

The move comes a month after services were suspended following the tragic crash of Spirit 2 in the Town of Hazelhurst April 26. Ascension Wisconsin Spirit Medical Transport has been serving the region with Spirit 1 based at the Stevens Point Airport and its ground units located at Ascension facilities.

“As we have worked through the many issues of returning to service, we again would like to extend our sincere thanks to our EMS and medical transportation colleagues, who helped to ensure safe transport services were available to our patients,” said Ryan. “We are grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from the communities we are privileged to serve.”

As of last week, the Howard Young Foundation Helping Hands' fund to benefit the families of the Spirit team affected by this tragedy has totaled more than $105,000. One hundred percent will go to the affected families. To donate, please visit the foundation's website at howardyoungfoundation.org or contact the Foundation office.

Ascension Wisconsin Spirit Medical Transport annually provides approximately 3,500 ground transfers, 550 air transports and 650 paramedic intercepts across the system.