Medevac Helicopter Crashes Off Catalina Island, One Missing
Four individuals were transported to hospitals following the incident.
A medevac helicopter carrying five people crashed into the ocean off Catalina Island, California, on Wednesday night. Officials reported that one individual remains missing, while the other four were taken to local hospitals.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department received initial reports of the crash shortly before 8 p.m. local time. The U.S. Coast Guard also responded to the scene. Search and rescue operations were initiated shortly after the crash was reported, with the fire department deploying helicopters and divers.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn stated on X, formerly Twitter, that she had been informed of the crash and was praying for those aboard. "I have been informed that a medevac helicopter leaving Catalina Island has crashed shortly after takeoff. L.A. County Fire, Sheriff, Coast Guard, and Avalon Fire are on the scene," Hahn said.
According to KTLA, two of the passengers were transported to hospitals in stable condition, while the other two were taken in unknown condition. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that two individuals were taken to a hospital on Catalina Island, and two others were transported to the Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department indicated that the helicopter's flight plan was unclear. Deputies confirmed that the aircraft belonged to Reach Air Medical Services.
Reach Air Medical Services acknowledged awareness of the incident but provided no further details. "Our immediate concern is for the well-being of those involved," a spokesperson for Reach stated. Flight tracking data indicated that a Reach Air Medical Services helicopter departed Oceanside in San Diego County at 6:40 p.m. and landed on Catalina Island at 7:04 p.m. on Wednesday.