Two killed, two hospitalised and one missing in medical helicopter crash in California's Catalina island

A medical helicopter crashed off the coast of Catalina Island, near Los Angeles, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to three others, according to authorities on Thursday. The Coast Guard, firefighters, and divers from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department were among the emergency responders who continued their search for a fifth person who went missing following the Wednesday night crash.

The cause of the accident remained unknown at this time. Coast Guard Captain Stacey Crecy stated that the helicopter went down shortly after taking off and struck the water a short distance from the island. It is believed that the helicopter was transporting a patient for additional medical care on the mainland. The victims were identified as the male pilot, a female nurse, a medic, and a man.

The missing individual was a woman who had traveled to Catalina with her 20-year-old son to help translate after she suffered an allergic reaction. The helicopter's operator, REACH Air Medical Services of Sacramento, confirmed that two of its crew members died and another was hospitalized. A memorial service was held on the island to honor the victims.

The incident followed two other helicopter crashes in California in the past two weeks. First responders arrived at the scene shortly before 8 PM local time on Wednesday and rescued four individuals from the water. Two were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were taken to hospitals in stable condition. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash and plans to conduct physical inspections at the crash site.