Medical helicopter crashes on Highway 50 in Sacramento

Story updated at 9:56 a.m. Tuesday, October 7, with new information

Three people aboard a medical helicopter are in critical condition after the aircraft crashed onto Highway 50 in Sacramento Monday evening. 

Sacramento Fire Department Captain Justin Sylvia said the crash happened just after 7 p.m. near the 59th Street exit, which completely shut down traffic on eastbound Highway 50 for several hours. Westbound lanes were slowed due to the emergency response.

Sylvia said the victims were all on board the helicopter and included two females and one male — the pilot, a nurse and a paramedic. They are all in critical condition and transported to area hospitals. 

“There was one victim that was trapped underneath the helicopter,” Sylvia said. “The captain immediately sequestered the help of civilians that were standing around. They were able to lift part of that helicopter to get the victim out.”

The aircraft is a REACH Air Medical helicopter. Global Medical Response operates REACH and confirmed to CapRadio that their crew was involved in the crash and no patients were on board. 

“We are aware of an accident involving a REACH Air Medical helicopter on Highway 50 in Sacramento this evening and are keeping all those impacted in our thoughts and prayers,” said GMR Public Relations Director Kirsten Gurmendi in an email to CapRadio. 

Michael Harper, a spokesperson for California Highway Patrol’s South Sacramento office, said the crash will be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

CapRadio contacted the NTSB and FAA for information about the incident. Both agencies sent automated replies referencing the government shutdown and stating that communications will be limited.

Flight tracking data from FlightAware showed the helicopter was operating as REACH Air Medical 5 and made multiple flights Monday between Sacramento and locations in the North State.

The helicopter departed from Red Bluff Municipal Airport around 5:50 p.m. on its final listed flight, heading for UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento where it arrived at 6:36 p.m. A statement by the NTSB on social media said the aircraft took off from the medical center’s heliport heading for Redding when it crashed.

Greg Micek contributed to this story.

This is a developing story. CapRadio will continue to update as more information becomes available.