posted June 17, 2024

Crew joined by community, local partners and former patients in celebration

ELIZABETHTOWN, KY, June 17, 2024 – Celebrating two decades of providing life-saving care to Elizabethtown and surrounding communities, Air Methods of Kentucky 6 held a community event on June 13. Crew members, past and present, local partners, former patients, and members of the community came together at Freeman Lake Park to commemorate the milestone.

“This anniversary shows how much Air Methods of Kentucky means to the area and also how much the area means to Kentucky,” said Air Methods Area Manager Danny Bray. “Being able to celebrate this milestone with the people who have made it all possible, from our amazing crew and our hard-working partners to our inspirational patients, is truly special.”

Guests toured the Kentucky 6 helicopter, met the crew members, and learned more about their clinical capabilities. They also enjoyed a barbeque and ice cream sandwiches, and were able to meet several members of Hardin County EMS and crew members from the surrounding Air Methods of Kentucky bases, who stopped by to support their sister base.

“The citizens of Hardin County are very lucky to have this resource in their backyard,” said Hardin County EMS Deputy Director Tim Carr. “It can take us 45 to 50 minutes to get to Louisville and Air Methods can have you there in about 20 minutes.”

Among the guests was former patient Andy Wilkins, who was transported in August of 2021 after falling severely ill with COVID pneumonia. Wilkins, who was just 32 at the time, was flown from Elizabethtown to Louisville to be stabilized before he traveled to the University of Kentucky in Lexington for a bilateral lung transplant.

“I feel like I’m here amongst a bunch of heroes,” said Wilkins. “The Air Methods crew’s confidence, professionalism and skill helped ease my wife Michelle’s mind. Because of their great skill, knowledge, and determination, I get to wake up and tell my kid’s good morning every day. It’s something I will cherish until the end of my days.”

Also in attendance was 14-year-old Sage Moore, who was involved in a multi-vehicle accident in 2023 and had to be transported by Kentucky 6 to Louisville for treatment. Despite suffering a traumatic brain injury, the young man recently graduated middle school and was strong enough to walk on stage to receive his certificate.

“If it wasn’t for the Air Methods crew getting Sage stable and where he needed to be, he wouldn’t be here with us today,” said Moore’s grandmother Stephanie Petrie, who spoke on his behalf. “Sage is still recovering but if it wasn’t for Air Methods, I don’t know what we would have done.”

One of six CAMTS accredited full-service air medical transport bases under the Air Methods of Kentucky umbrella, Kentucky 6 in Elizabethtown is led by an experienced crew that boasts over 50 years of combined flight experience and is highly trained in pediatrics, high-risk OBGYN care, and specialized transport, including patients with intra-aortic balloon pumps. The base is also part of a Department of Defense-funded whole blood trial in conjunction with the University of Louisville.