A Memorial service took place in Rockford yesterday morning for the pilot and 2 nurses who were killed on December 10th when their React helicopter crashed in Lee County near the village of Compton.
Pronounced dead at the scene were Andy Oleson and Karen Hollis of Rockford and Jim Dillow of Shannon. Oleson was the pilot of the React helicopter when it crashed into a corn field just south of the intersection of Illinois 251 and Route 30, south of Rochelle.
The Memorial service was held at Rock Valley Community College in Rockford. Numerous police and fire departments in the area which included Rochelle took part in the event.
There was also a fly-over by several aircrafts.
The crash continues to be investigated by the FAA and the National Transportation Board.
Weather may have been a factor as the helicopter took off from Rockford to Mendota in freezing rain. The crew planned to turn around and come back to Rockford near Rochelle when the aircraft went down.
