Mother remembers daughter who died in helicopter crash

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Karen Aicken got the call Monday night that no mother wants to answer.

“It’s unreal,” Karen said. “And so painfully real at the same time.”

Her daughter Bethany died Monday when a medical helicopter crashed near Owen County High School.

Her two Air Evac Lifeteam Base 33 crew members also died while en route to assist someone in a medical emergency.

Karen describes Bethany as smart, hardworking and fearless. She loved traveling the world and capturing its beauty through a camera lens.

She also says that Bethany always put others before herself.

“She was just always so considerate and wanted to help when she could,” Karen said. “Hence the career.”

Bethany dreamed of a career in healthcare since she was 10 years old. She would build a career in caring for others, working as an intensive care unit nurse and a travel nurse, becoming a flight nurse in 2023.

“She just decided I was going to do it and started taking online classes and I think she had to take some classes as well and she got her certificate,” Karen said. “The climb was exciting, she loved being up there in the helicopter.”

Bethany’s passion for helping people extended far beyond her mission to help her friends and so many others in her community, often without anyone knowing.

Karen says that in the days following the accident, so many people she knows and doesn’t know called to express how impressive Bethany was to them.

“You know I’m her mother,” Karen said, “but when all these other people take the time to tell me how wonderful she was, it just makes me so proud.”

Karen says her daughter died a hero and hopes others take the time to show their appreciation to all first responders.

“Just express to them how proud you are of them for giving so much of themselves and just let them know,” she said. “

Bethany was 40 years old.

She is survived by her mother, her brother Jeff, her niece and nephew, and her fiancé. Memorial services are scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.

Gov. Andy Beshear orders flags lowered to half-staff to honor all three emergency workers killed.

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