A medical helicopter that was returning to Redding crashed on a Sacramento highway Monday night.
According to news reports, the helicopter was carrying three people when it crashed on Highway 50. The three onboard were taken to the hospital with critical injuries.
KHSL Action News reported that the REACH Air Services Medical flight originated in Redding before it stopped in Red Bluff and then continued on to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. The copter had a pilot, nurse and paramedic on board and was returning to Redding when it crashed, the TV station said.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that there were three people on board and is investigating the crash.
The FAA said the crash happened around 7:05 p.m. and involved a Eurocopter EC130.
The Los Angeles Times said the helicopter crashed into the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 west of 59th Street. Emergency crews got assistance from about 15 bystanders, who helped lift part of the helicopter off one of the victims who had been trapped underneath, according to the story.
REACH Air Medical Services on its Facebook posted a statement late Monday night: “We are aware of an accident involving a REACH Air Medical helicopter on Highway 50 in Sacramento this evening and are keeping all those impacted in our thoughts and prayers.
“We are in the process of determining the details of this situation, as well as the condition of the REACH crew involved, who were all taken to area hospitals. We will continue to provide information as it becomes available. There was no patient on board.”
The company did not immediately reply to an email seeking additional comment.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Medical copter crashes on Sacramento highway, flight reportedly originated in Redding
Reporting by David Benda, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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