Latitude Air Ambulance has issued a statement remembering the four crew members aboard its Heartbeat 104 medevac aircraft, following the release of their names by the United States Coast Guard. The incident, which led to the presumed loss of the aircraft and crew, prompted an extensive search and rescue operation.
The crew members identified by the USCG were Captain Ruben A. Apaza, First Officer Adam J. Gibson, Flight Nurse Jennifer S. Lewis, and Flight Paramedic Thomas E. Johnson. Latitude Air Ambulance stated that it would share more information about the individuals following the Coast Guard's formal announcement.
The Heartbeat 104, a fixed-wing air ambulance, was reportedly en route from Manassas, Virginia, to an undisclosed destination for a patient transport. Communication with the aircraft was lost, initiating the search. The United States Coast Guard led the search efforts, which involved multiple agencies and assets over several days.
Further details regarding the circumstances of the incident, including the findings of any ongoing investigations, were not immediately available from Latitude Air Ambulance's statement or the initial press release.