The victims in Monday’s helicopter crash have been identified. WLOX reports that the Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove said the pilot, Brandon Ricks, 40, of Oklahoma died of smoke inhalation. The other man killed in the crash, Steven W. Cobb, 55, of Wiggins died of multiple blunt force trauma.
Mr. Hargrove said Mr. Cobb worked for the U.S. Forest Service and Mr. Ricks worked for T & M Aviation out of Oklahoma.
U.S. Forest Service Supervisory Forestry Technician Brendan Mullen was injured and transported from the site to a hospital by helicopter.
The firefighters were working on a prescribed fire in southern Mississippi on the Desoto National Forest about 25 miles northwest of Biloxi.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released a statement on Tuesday, saying, “The loved ones and colleagues of Brendan, Steve, and Brandon Ricks, who also lost his life in the crash, are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. On behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture, I thank them for risking their lives to protect us, our homes and natural resources.”