A medical helicopter carrying five people crashed into the ocean off the coast of Catalina Island on Wednesday night. Search and rescue operations began after the Los Angeles County Fire Department received reports of the downed aircraft at approximately 7:50 p.m.
The aircraft was identified as a Reach Air Medical Services helicopter. Flight tracking data indicated the helicopter had departed from Oceanside in San Diego County and landed on the island at 7:04 p.m. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn stated the crash occurred shortly after the helicopter took off from the island.
Rescuers located all five individuals who were on board. Boat crews rescued three people from the water, and the U.S. Coast Guard located the remaining two. Two individuals were transported to a hospital on Catalina Island, and two others were taken to the Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA.
Reach Air Medical Services confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that their immediate concern is for the well-being of those involved. The Los Angeles County Fire Department noted that the helicopter's specific flight plan remains unclear.
The emergency response included divers and helicopter units from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Coast Guard also participated in the response.
Investigations are expected to follow to determine the factors that led to the crash. Reach Air Medical Services has not yet reported when more details regarding the flight plan or the status of those on board will be available.