Air ambulance helicopter crashes off Catalina Island shortly after takeoff
An air-ambulance helicopter went down near Catalina Island moments after leaving Avalon, with five people on board.
At 7:46 p.m. on Wednesday, a REACH air-ambulance helicopter departed Avalon on Catalina Island and disappeared from its flight-tracking signal just eight seconds after take-off. Los Angeles County Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and local rescue units rushed to the scene near Pebbly Beach. Rescue crews managed to extract three people directly from the aircraft and water, while the Coast Guard identified two additional occupants.
By 8:40 p.m. no victims had been transported for medical care. County Supervisor Janice Hahn confirmed the crash and said emergency agencies remain on site conducting search and rescue operations.
Why it matters
The crash involves a medical evacuation aircraft, raising concerns about emergency response safety near populated tourist areas.
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