Helicopter crashes off Catalina Island coast, rescue efforts underway
Rescue crews rushed to the Catalina Island coastline after a helicopter crashed in the ocean on Wednesday night.
Rescue operations were launched off Catalina Island's coast following a medical helicopter crash on Wednesday night. The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the scene around 7:50 p.m., receiving initial reports of the incident near the island. Five individuals were on board the aircraft. According to the LA County Sheriff's Department, two passengers were transported to a hospital on Catalina Island, while the remaining three were taken to the Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA.
As of 9:40 p.m., the fifth person was still unaccounted for. The helicopter's flight plan remained unclear at this point. The helicopter was operated by Reach Air Medical Services, according to deputies. Flight tracking data indicated the aircraft took off from Oceanside in San Diego County at 6:40 p.m. and landed on Catalina Island at 7:04 p.m. Later, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn tweeted that the crash occurred shortly after takeoff from the island, about an hour later.
A Reach spokesperson acknowledged the incident but declined to provide additional details, expressing concern for the well-being of those involved.
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