Medical helicopter crashes off California coast, 2 dead and 1 missing

A medical helicopter crashed into the sea off California’s Catalina Island on Wednesday, killing two people, injuring two others and leaving one person missing, local authorities told US media.

The helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from Catalina Island, which is located about 22 miles (35 km) off the Los Angeles coast, according to Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn.

Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel responded to reports of a downed helicopter at around 7:53 pm local time, LA County Fire Engineer Jonathan Torres told local media.


Of the five people aboard, four had been found, Torres said. Two were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were taken to hospitals on the mainland in stable condition. One person remained missing as search and rescue operations continued.

REACH Air Medical Services confirmed to local media that one of its helicopters was involved in the crash. Authorities, including the US Coast Guard and local fire and sheriff's departments, were involved in the search operation.

The Sun reported that the helicopter crashed just seconds after taking off and was believed to be submerged in about 240 feet of water. The report said the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration were investigating the incident.

The identities of those aboard had not been released.

(With AFP inputs)