Post by : Rameen Ariff

A serious accident happened in Sacramento on Monday evening when a medical helicopter crashed on Highway 50, leaving three crew members critically injured. Despite the helicopter falling in the middle of the busy highway, officials said it was “mind blowing” that no one driving on the road was hurt.

The helicopter, identified as a REACH Air Medical Services aircraft, had just dropped a patient at a hospital and was flying back to its base when it experienced an “in-air emergency” shortly after 7 p.m., according to Captain Justin Sylvia of the Sacramento Fire Department. Witnesses said they saw the helicopter suddenly losing height before striking the roadway, forcing traffic to stop.

Three people on board, including a pilot, a nurse, and a paramedic, were rushed to nearby hospitals in critical condition. One of the crew members, a woman, was trapped under the aircraft. Firefighters, along with nearly 15 people on the highway, worked together to lift the helicopter just enough to rescue her and get her into an ambulance. Captain Sylvia said, “It took every ounce of strength from all of us to move the aircraft and save her life.”

The crash closed the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 for several hours as emergency teams secured the site and began an investigation. Officer Mike Carrillo of the California Highway Patrol confirmed that crews were working to determine the cause of the crash.

REACH Air Medical Services released a statement saying, “We are in the process of determining the details of this situation, as well as the condition of our crew members, who were all taken to hospitals. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.”

Pictures and videos from the scene showed long lines of vehicles backed up behind the wreckage. Sacramento City Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan, who was nearby, said she saw smoke rising from the helicopter. “It’s really sobering. This makes you grateful for our medical pilots and first responders who risk their lives every day,” she said.

Officials confirmed that the cause of the helicopter crash is still under investigation by authorities. They added that it was a miracle no vehicles on the highway were hit during the accident.

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