Flight nurse dies from injuries sustained in helicopter crash

Update 1:50 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11:

The family of flight nurse Susan "Suzie" Smith has confirmed she died from injuries sustained in Monday night's helicopter crash. 

"Suzie’s life was not wasted but poured out with purpose, courage, and deep intention," the family wrote in an email statement. RJ Smith and family thanked the UC Davis Medical Center and REACH Air Medical Services for their care.

In a statement, REACH Air Medical Services wrote: "We will remember Suzie as a pillar of the EMS and healthcare community who saved countless lives by delivering compassionate care in their darkest hours."

Smith's 50-year career as a nurse included 21 years with REACH, according to the company.

Originally published Wednesday, Oct. 8:

The names of the three victims involved in a Monday evening helicopter crash on Highway 50 have been released.

REACH Air Medical Services operates the medical helicopter that was taking off from UC Davis Medical Center around 7 p.m. Monday when it crashed onto the highway, shutting down eastbound traffic for several hours. 

The individuals involved in the accident remain hospitalized, REACH wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday morning:

• Pilot Chad Millward, who is in critical yet stable condition
• Flight Paramedic Margaret “DeDe” Davis, who is likewise critical but stable
• Flight Nurse Susan “Suzie” Smith, who remains in critical and unstable condition 

“On behalf of our crew, their families, and REACH, we extend heartfelt thanks to the bystanders who helped during the rescue,” REACH wrote.

Bystanders stepped in

Pete Vandersluis is a Sacramento Fire Department captain who arrived with the first fire engine at the scene. He says he quickly saw one of the three victims was pinned under the helicopter. 

But with ongoing construction and traffic along the highway, he knew it would take time before other emergency vehicles could arrive, which made asking for the help of bystanders necessary. 

“For a group of people like that to just step into potential danger, not knowing if it’s going to start on fire and to listen to, essentially, my commands … it’s pretty inspiring to know that the community out there is willing to help,” Vandersluis said.

He said about 15 bystanders helped lift the helicopter so the victim could be removed.

“We deeply appreciate those who became first responders by supporting flight crews during their time of need,” REACH wrote on Facebook.

Justin Sylvia, spokesperson for the Sacramento Fire Department, said there was no fire at the site of the crash and no one on the ground was injured.  

“The fact that it did not hit any vehicles is something else. It's just unbelievable to us,” Sylvia said.

Augustine Joseph is a pilot who runs the Sacramento-based flight school Advanced International Aviation Academy. He said he’s unsure what caused the crash to happen, but said the pilot’s actions likely helped minimize the damage. 

“The way it came down, it seemed like the pilot was attempting to do an emergency landing and try to save the situation,” he said. “His best choice was the freeway and he was kind of maneuvering to find an open spot without hitting a car to put it down on the freeway.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash.