Miraculously, No Motorists Hurt as Helicopter Goes Down on Busy Highway 50
A medical helicopter operated by REACH Air Medical Services crashed onto Highway 50 in Sacramento, California, on Monday evening, leaving three crew members in critical condition. Remarkably, no vehicles or drivers on the highway were injured, despite the aircraft crashing in the center of traffic.
What Happened?
- The helicopter had just completed a patient drop-off at a hospital.
- Around 7 PM, it experienced an “in-air emergency” while returning to base.
- It crashed in the center of eastbound Highway 50, causing major traffic disruptions.
- The pilot, nurse, and paramedic on board were all hospitalized with critical injuries.
Heroic Rescue Effort
One of the injured—believed to be a crew member—was trapped under the helicopter.
According to Captain Justin Sylvia of the Sacramento Fire Department:
“It took about 15 people, including fire crew and bystanders, to lift the helicopter enough to pull her out and get her into an ambulance.”
Eyewitness Accounts
- Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter descending rapidly before impact.
- Drivers slowed down instinctively, helping prevent further casualties.
- Photos showed a long back-up of cars just behind the crash site.
Road Closures & Investigation
- Eastbound lanes of Highway 50 were closed for hours following the crash.
- The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and federal aviation officials are investigating the cause.
- The helicopter emitted white smoke after impact, according to City Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan, who witnessed the aftermath.
REACH Air Medical’s Response
REACH Air confirmed the aircraft was theirs and released a statement:
“We are keeping all those impacted in our thoughts and prayers. We are currently determining the full details of this incident and the condition of our crew.”
No Civilian Injuries: A “Mind-Blowing” Outcome
Fire officials called it a “mind-blowing miracle” that no one on the highway was hurt, considering the crash happened at a time of active traffic.
Conclusion
The incident has sparked discussions about aviation safety, the risks faced by emergency crews, and the heroic actions of both first responders and civilians. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
