California, United States: A medical helicopter operated by REACH Air Medical Services crashed onto the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 in Sacramento on Monday afternoon, leaving three crew members critically injured and shutting down a major section of the freeway.
The chopper, identified as a medical transport aircraft, went down shortly after 7 p.m. local time near 65th Street, moments after departing from UC Davis Medical Center. Authorities confirmed that no patient was on board at the time of the crash.
The helicopter was carrying a pilot, flight nurse, and paramedic, all of whom sustained severe injuries. Emergency personnel and bystanders assisted in the rescue, with reports indicating that one crew member was pinned under the wreckage before being freed and transported to a nearby hospital.
“There were no patients or other vehicles involved in the crash,” REACH Air Medical Services said in a brief statement. “Our primary focus is on the well-being of our crew and their families.”
The aircraft did not catch fire after impact, but debris was scattered across multiple lanes, forcing the closure of all eastbound lanes on Highway 50 for several hours. Westbound lanes also experienced significant slowdowns as emergency crews worked through the night to secure the site.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The helicopter appeared to lose altitude rapidly before hitting the roadway, but officials have not confirmed any mechanical failure.
Highway 50 eastbound lanes were expected to reopen by early Tuesday afternoon after debris removal and structural assessments of the affected area.
