Medical Helicopter Crashes on California Highway, Three in Critical Condition

A medical helicopter crash on eastbound Highway 50 in Sacramento, California, left three people in critical condition on Monday evening, according to US media and local authorities. Emergency crews closed several lanes of traffic as a result.

Incident Details

The helicopter went down just after 7:00 pm local time (0200 GMT Tuesday). Flight-tracking data indicated it had lifted off from UC Davis Medical Center only minutes before the crash.

Officials confirmed that no patients were on board and no other vehicles were involved.

Response and Rescue

The Sacramento Fire Department, quoted by CNN, said that bystanders assisted emergency responders in lifting the helicopter to reach a person trapped underneath.

Social media footage showed the helicopter hovering above a line of cars before crashing next to the median in a cloud of smoke.

The South Sacramento California Highway Patrol Area office reported that two ramps and the eastbound highway were closed, with no estimated time for reopening. The office advised drivers to use alternate routes and expect delays, warning of possible additional closures and congestion.

Investigation and Company Statement

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Highway Patrol in the inquiry, CBS News reported.

The helicopter, according to Federal Aviation Administration records, is registered to REACH Air Medical Services. Kirsten Gurmendi, public relations director at REACH’s parent company, Global Medical Response, confirmed the company was aware of the incident: “We are in the process of determining the details of this situation, as well as the condition of the REACH crew involved, who were all taken to area hospitals,” Gurmendi told AFP.

Sacramento Councilmember Lisa Kaplan posted photos of long traffic queues, describing the freeway as “blocked.”