Workers at UW Hospital observed a moment of silence Monday afternoon to reflect on the loss of three colleagues killed when their medical helicopter crashed.

Hospital spokeswoman Toni Morrissey says workers are considering how to permanently memorialize surgeon Darren Bean, nurse Mark Coyne and pilot Steve Lipperer.

The three died Saturday night when their helicopter crashed on a return flight from La Crosse, where they had taken a patient to a hospital.

Authorities have said the helicopter appeared to strike a hill or trees shortly after taking off from the La Crosse airport. The National Transportation Safety Board was on the scene investigating the cause today.

Morrissey says well wishes are coming in from around the world and the UW Foundation has set up a fund for donations.