A medical helicopter crashed on a highway in Sacramento late Monday evening, critically injuring three crew members aboard. The incident occurred just after 7 p.m. on Highway 50.
The helicopter was returning to its base after transporting a patient to the hospital when it experienced an “in-air emergency” and crash-landed upside down, resulting in a significant debris field, as reported by Captain Justin Sylvia, spokesperson for the Sacramento Fire Department.
According to officials, the critically injured crew members included the pilot, a nurse, and a paramedic. Remarkably, no injuries were reported among motorists traveling on the highway at the time of the crash.
Witness accounts described the helicopter descending rapidly, causing drivers to slow down in anticipation of the crash. “People reported that they basically saw the helicopter kind of going down quickly,” Sylvia noted.
Rescue efforts to free one of the crew members trapped under the helicopter involved a coordinated effort from at least 15 bystanders and firefighters who managed to lift the aircraft just enough to free her, allowing for a quick transport to an ambulance.
In a statement, REACH Air Medical confirmed the crash and expressed concern for the affected crew. “We are in the process of determining the details of this situation and the conditions of the REACH crew involved,” the company stated.
Images from the scene showed a lengthy line of cars on the highway, stalled behind the wreckage. Captain Sylvia confirmed that the helicopter did not catch fire.
As emergency crews and California Highway Patrol officers responded to the scene, the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 were temporarily closed while assessments and investigations were conducted. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with further details expected as authorities continue their work.
Sacramento City Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan, who was on a ride along with responding law enforcement, noted the severity of the situation. “It’s really sombering and sobering. I am up flying with sheriff pilots that do this day in and day out. And it really makes you grateful for every day and grateful for our officers and our medical pilots,” she remarked.
