Medical helicopter crashes on Sacramento highway, three critically injured

Medical helicopter crashed on a Sacramento highway on Monday evening. PIC/ AFP

A medical helicopter crashed on a Sacramento highway on Monday evening, leaving three people critically injured, officials said. Among the injured was a woman who had to be rescued from underneath the wreckage.

According to Sacramento Fire Department spokesperson Captain Justin Sylvia, the helicopter had just dropped off a patient at a hospital and was returning to its base when it experienced an "in-air emergency" shortly after 7 p.m. The crash occurred in the center of Highway 50, but miraculously, no motorists were injured.

"People reported seeing the helicopter descend rapidly, and traffic immediately began to slow down," Sylvia said. One of the crew members was trapped under the aircraft, and firefighters, with the help of bystanders, managed to lift the helicopter just enough to pull her out. "It took every ounce of effort from about 15 people to raise it slightly and free her," Sylvia added.

The pilot, nurse, and paramedic on board were all rushed to nearby hospitals in critical condition, authorities confirmed.

The helicopter belonged to REACH Air Medical Services, which issued a statement expressing concern for its crew: "We are keeping all those impacted in our thoughts and prayers. We are working to determine the details of the incident and the condition of our team members."

Images from the scene showed traffic backed up for miles as emergency responders blocked off the eastbound lanes of Highway 50. According to Officer Mike Carrillo of the California Highway Patrol, the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Sacramento City Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan, who happened to be on a law enforcement ride-along at the time, described seeing plumes of white smoke rising from the wreckage. "It's truly sobering," she said. "Seeing this firsthand makes you deeply grateful for our officers and medical pilots who risk their lives every day."

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