Sacramento Medical Helicopter Crash Leaves Three Crew Critically Injured in Highway Rescue
Medical helicopter crashes on Sacramento’s Highway 50, critically injuring three crew members but sparing motorists.
A medical helicopter operated by REACH Air Medical Services crashed onto Highway 50 in Sacramento, California, critically injuring its three crew members—a pilot, a nurse, and a paramedic. The incident occurred just after 7 p.m. as the helicopter was returning from a patient transport mission, experiencing what Sacramento Fire Department spokesperson Captain Justin Sylvia described as an “in-air emergency.” The crash, which occurred in the center of the busy highway, miraculously caused no injuries to motorists, a fact Sylvia called “mind-blowing” given the severity of the incident.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter descend rapidly, prompting traffic to slow down and avoid further collisions. One crew member, a woman, was trapped beneath the wreckage, requiring a heroic effort by a team of approximately 15 firefighters and bystanders to lift the aircraft and free her. She was promptly transported to a hospital, along with the other two crew members, all of whom remain in critical condition. The eastbound lanes of Highway 50 were closed following the crash, causing significant traffic disruptions, as reported by Officer Mike Carrillo of the California Highway Patrol’s Valley Division.
The aircraft, identified as a REACH Air Medical helicopter, was returning to its base when the incident occurred. REACH Air Medical Services issued a statement expressing concern for those affected, noting, “We are keeping all those impacted in our thoughts and prayers,” and are working to determine the details of the crash and the condition of the crew. The cause of the incident remains under investigation, with emergency crews and the California Highway Patrol actively assessing the scene. Images circulating online showed a long line of vehicles backed up behind the downed helicopter, with plumes of white smoke rising from the wreckage.
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The rescue operation was particularly intense, with firefighters describing the physical challenge of lifting the helicopter to free the trapped crew member. Sacramento City Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan, who was on a ride-along with law enforcement at the time, witnessed the response and noted the somber atmosphere, with white smoke billowing from the crash site. She praised the bravery of first responders and medical pilots, emphasizing the risks they face daily. The incident has prompted renewed appreciation for the critical role of emergency medical services.
This crash underscores the inherent dangers faced by air medical crews, who provide life-saving transport under challenging conditions. As investigations continue, authorities are focused on uncovering the cause to prevent future incidents, while the community rallies in support of the injured crew members’ recovery.
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