A medical evacuation helicopter carrying five individuals went down in the ocean waters near California's Catalina Island on Wednesday evening. Authorities confirmed that one person aboard the aircraft is currently unaccounted for, while the remaining four were transported to medical facilities.
Reports of the incident reached the Los Angeles County Fire Department just before 8 p.m.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Search
Extensive search and rescue operations were immediately launched, with the fire department deploying helicopters and divers to the crash site soon after notification. The U.S. Coast Guard also joined the multi-agency response.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn addressed the situation on social media, stating:
"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. Search and rescue operations are underway, and I am praying for everyone who was on board."
Details on the Aircraft and Occupants
As of late Wednesday night, one of the five occupants of the helicopter was still missing. According to reports, two individuals were taken to hospitals in stable condition, while the condition of the other two hospitalized passengers was not immediately disclosed.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department specified that two people received medical attention at a hospital located on Catalina Island, and two others were transported to the Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA for care.
Officials from the fire department indicated that the helicopter's precise flight plan was not immediately clear, as reported. Law enforcement personnel confirmed that the aircraft was operated by Reach Air Medical Services.
Publicly available flight tracking data showed a Reach Air Medical Services helicopter departing from Oceanside, situated in San Diego County, at 6:40 p.m. and arriving on Catalina Island at 7:04 p.m.
Reach Air Medical Services acknowledged the incident but stated they were unable to provide additional details at that time. A spokesperson for Reach conveyed in a statement, "Our immediate concern is for the well-being of those involved."
