At least two people have been killed with two others injured and a major search launched for a fifth person after a medical helicopter crashed into the ocean. The tragic incident happened on Catalina Island in California on Wednesday night.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department received reports of the crash shortly before 8pm. Two of four people who were recovered from the water were taken to the hospital and another two were pronounced dead at the scene, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.
The department added: “This remains an active scene with search and rescue operations continuing throughout the night.”
Janice Hahn, a county supervisor, said in a statement. “I have been informed that a medevac helicopter leaving Catalina Island has crashed shortly after takeoff.
“LA County Fire, Sheriff, Coast Guard, and Avalon Fire are on the scene. Search and rescue operations are underway and I am praying for everyone who was on board.”
Flight tracking data indicated that a Reach Air Medical Services helicopter took off from Oceanside in San Diego County at 6.40pm and arrived on Catalina Island at 7.04pm.
Reach confirmed it was aware of the incident but declined to provide additional details, stating that its primary focus was on the welfare of those involved.
“Our immediate concern is for the well-being of those involved,” a Reach spokesperson said in a statement to CBS LA.
The identities of the victims or the missing person have not been released at this time.
US Coast Guard Cmdr. Mark Leahey told NBC Los Angeles: “Conditions right now are actually calm on scene, so I would call them ideal search conditions.
“But there is a lot of debris from the crash. There is some fuel in the water also from the helicopter. But our crews train for this, so we’re ready for the response.”