Friends speak of Air Angels crew’s dedication

William J. Mann Jr. got hooked on the dangerous, life-saving work of a helicopter nurse at age 12 when he had a chance to see the inside of the Loyola University's Lifestar helicopter.

He was so intrigued that he wrote a school paper about it. Later, after earning his nursing license, Mann would join the helicopter crew of Air Angels, a medical transport company.

"He was an exceptional human being," Mann's mother, Arlette Mann said. "He was a star. His sisters would say, 'Ma, if Billy did anything, he always did it well'."

Mann, 31, of Chicago, was one of four people, including three crew members, who were killed when their medical helicopter exploded and crashed into a field late Wednesday in Aurora. His family said he was also certified to fly the helicopter.

Pilot Dell Waugh, 69, of Carmel, Ind. and crew member Ronald Battiato, 41, of Peotone, were also killed, along with a 14-month-old baby girl who was being transported to Children's Memorial Hospital.

The baby was identified as Kirstin Blockinger of Leland, according to Aurora police.

A woman who said she had been Waugh's next-door neighbor for more than two decades described him as a "great guy," who loved gardening and who had flown helicopters during the Vietnam War.

The neighbor, who didn't want her name used, said she last saw Waugh about two weeks ago. The neighbor told Waugh she was worried about him -- because she'd seen a piece on the local TV news about a recent medical helicopter crash.

"He said he knew (about it) and he was doing fine," the neighbor said, adding. "That was the last time I saw him. It gives me cold chills."

The neighbor said Waugh was divorced and lived with his adult son. She said the pilot owned a medical software company.

Waugh was just lifting off when the helicopter crashed at the northeast corner of North Eola Road and Liberty street just before midnight Wednesday, FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said.

Co-workers of the Air Angels crew members cited their experience and dedication Thursday morning.

“They were great guys, fantastic, dedicated men,” said Mike Dermont, director of business development for Air Angels and the former chief executive officer, speaking at Clow International Airport in Bolingbrook, where the crew was based.

Waugh was an experienced pilot, with more than 4,000 hours of flight time. A retired Army colonel, he earned a Purple Heart for his service in the Vietnam War. Waugh started with Air Angels in July 2006.

Battatio, a paramedic on the flight, worked three different jobs to support his family. The Peotone resident was a paramedic with a fire department in addition to his work with Air Angels. He started with Air Angels in January of this year.

Mann of Chicago was the nurse on the flight, and had only worked at Air Angels since July.