Three people were left critically injured after a medical helicopter crashed onto Highway 50 in Sacramento, California, on Monday evening. The incident occurred just after 7:00 p.m. on the eastbound lanes of the busy highway, leading to the closure of several lanes as emergency teams rushed to the scene.
According to preliminary reports, the helicopter had taken off from UC Davis Medical Center only minutes before the crash. On board were three crew members — a pilot, a nurse, and a paramedic — all of whom sustained critical injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. No patient was being transported at the time of the crash, and fortunately, no vehicles on the highway were struck.
Eyewitness videos circulating online showed the helicopter hovering low above the road before it descended rapidly, crashing near the highway median in a cloud of smoke. Motorists and bystanders quickly stopped to help, with several assisting emergency responders in lifting part of the wreckage to rescue one individual trapped underneath.
Authorities immediately closed the affected section of Highway 50 and nearby ramps to allow rescue and cleanup operations. The California Highway Patrol urged motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes, warning of significant traffic delays and potential congestion as investigators and emergency crews worked through the night.
Officials confirmed that the helicopter belonged to REACH Air Medical Services, a company providing emergency air transport across California and neighboring states. The organization stated that it was aware of the incident and working to determine the cause of the crash, as well as the condition of its crew members.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are expected to lead inquiries into what led to the sudden descent. Weather conditions at the time were reportedly clear, suggesting that mechanical or technical issues could have been a factor.
Images shared on social media showed long lines of traffic stretching along the highway as emergency vehicles blocked access to the crash site. Authorities said lanes would remain closed until the wreckage was cleared and the area deemed safe.
The accident has raised concerns over air ambulance safety and the risks faced by emergency medical flight crews, who often operate in high-pressure and challenging conditions to save lives.
