Memorial held for 3 killed in accident

ROCKFORD (AP) – Hundreds of mourners gathered Wednesday to remember a pilot and two nurses killed in a northern Illinois medical helicopter crash.

A memorial was held in Rockford to honor pilot Andy Olesen, 65, and nurses Karen Hollis, 48, and Jim Dillow, 40. The crew encountered bad weather and were trying to return to their hospital in Rockford when the helicopter crashed into a field Dec. 10 near Compton in Lee County.

The three had been on their way to retrieve a patient when they turned around.

“It’s our turn to give back,” Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey said. “They’re heroes and will be remembered.”

The memorial included bagpipers and speeches from other flight nurses. A memorial included three white flight helmets and flight uniforms. Outside, an American flag hung from a Rockford Fire Department truck. Members of a high school choir sang.

Rockford Health System also has established a memorial fund for the families of the crash victims.

“The crew didn’t give their lives, their lives were taken doing God’s work helping the sick,” the Rev. William Wentink said during the service.