Three people are in critical condition after a medical helicopter crashed onto a major highway in Sacramento, California, on Monday evening, according to U.S. media reports.
Authorities said the helicopter went down shortly after 7:00 p.m. local time on eastbound Highway 50, just minutes after taking off from the UC Davis Medical Center.
The Sacramento Fire Department confirmed that a pilot, nurse, and paramedic were on board and were all taken to the hospital in critical condition. Fortunately, no patient was being transported, and no vehicles were involved in the crash.
Footage circulating on social media showed the helicopter hovering above cars before plummeting near the highway median and bursting into smoke and debris, as bystanders rushed to help rescue crews.
“Bystanders helped first responders lift the helicopter to reach one person trapped underneath,” fire officials said.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) closed eastbound lanes of U.S. 50 and two connecting ramps, urging drivers to find alternate routes and expect major delays. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said it is assisting the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in investigating the cause of the crash.
FAA records show the helicopter was registered to REACH Air Medical Services, part of Global Medical Response. The company’s public relations director, Kirsten Gurmendi, confirmed the incident, saying,
“We are working to determine the details of the situation and the condition of the REACH crew involved. No patient was on board.”
Authorities have not yet released the names of those injured, and the investigation remains ongoing.
