alifornia’s Sacramento — A medical helicopter crashed into a roadway in Sacramento on Monday night, sparking a massive response.
Just east of Stockton Boulevard on eastbound Highway 50, the collision was reported shortly after 7 p.m.
According to investigators, the helicopter crashed close to 59th Street shortly after taking off from UC Davis Medical Center on its way to Redding.
Three crew members were injured in the incident, according to REACH Air Medical Services. No patients were on board, they said.
Three critically ill people were transported to hospitals: a pilot, a nurse, and a paramedic. Officials described the fact that no one was hurt on the highway as “mind blowing” considering that the chopper crashed in the middle of the road.
“People reported that they basically saw the helicopter kind of going down quickly. So all the traffic slowed down,” said Captain Justin Sylvia, a spokesperson for the Sacramento Fire Department.
One of the injured was trapped beneath the helicopter, and a small fire department personnel managed to get the plane off the woman and get her into an ambulance by working with bystanders on the roadway.
“It took every ounce of all approximately 15 people to move that aircraft up just enough to get her out,” he stated.
No onlookers were harmed.
It’s a good thing the fuel in the aircraft didn’t catch fire, according to fire officials.
The crash inquiry is anticipated to be taken over by federal authorities.
All eastbound lanes of Highway 50 will be closed for a long time, according to the CHP.
It is recommended that drivers stay away from the area.
