By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- A medical helicopter crashed into the ocean off Catalina Island, roughly 22 miles off the Los Angeles County mainland, shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday.
- Rescuers recovered four people from the water; two were pronounced dead at the scene, and two were taken to mainland hospitals in stable condition.
- A fifth person reported aboard remained missing as of early Thursday, with search and rescue operations continuing overnight.
- Los Angeles County Fire Department, lifeguard units, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Avalon Fire and the U.S. Coast Guard all responded.
- The helicopter, believed to be owned by REACH Air Medical Services, was found submerged in about 240 feet of water after apparently crashing shortly after takeoff from Catalina; the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
LOS ANGELES — A medical helicopter crashed into the ocean off Catalina Island Wednesday evening, killing two people and leaving a fifth person missing as search and rescue crews worked through the night, authorities said.
First responders were called to the crash shortly before 8 p.m. and pulled four people from the water. Two were pronounced dead at the scene, and two were taken to hospitals on the mainland in stable condition, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. A fifth person believed to have been aboard remained unaccounted for early Thursday. “This remains an active scene with search and rescue operations continuing throughout the night,” the department said.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said she was told the medevac helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff from Catalina Island, located about 22 miles off the Los Angeles County coast. County firefighters and lifeguards responded alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities said the helicopter was found submerged in approximately 240 feet of water. KTLA-TV reported the aircraft was believed to be owned by REACH Air Medical Services, based in Sacramento, California.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.