Full Breakdown
Medevac Helicopter Crashes Off Catalina Island, Leaving Two Dead, Two Injured and One Missing
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
A REACH Air Medical Services helicopter carrying five occupants crashed into the ocean near Avalon on Catalina Island shortly after takeoff on Wednesday night. The aircraft sank in approximately 240 feet (73 meters) of water about 22 miles (35 kilometers) off the mainland. Rescue crews from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, the county sheriff’s office and Avalon Fire responded within minutes.
Casualties and Rescue Operations
- Fatalities: Two people were pronounced dead at the scene.
- Injured: Two survivors were transported to mainland hospitals in stable condition.
- Missing: A fifth occupant, identified as a patient being transferred to the mainland, remained unaccounted for as rescue efforts continued through the night.
Fire Engineer Jonathan Torres reported that four individuals had been recovered from the water, while the search for the missing person persisted. U.S. Coast Guard Commander Mark Leahey described the sea state as “ideal” for search operations but noted debris and fuel on the surface.
Official Statements & Responses
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn posted on X that she had been informed of the crash and listed the agencies on scene: the county fire department, sheriff’s office, Coast Guard and Avalon Fire. She added that search and rescue operations were underway and expressed prayers for those aboard.
A spokesperson for REACH Air Medical Services said the company was coordinating with authorities and could not provide further details while the investigation proceeded.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were identified as the lead investigative bodies, with the NTSB confirming an ongoing probe.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I have been informed that a medevac helicopter leaving Catalina Island has crashed shortly after takeoff,” — Janice Hahn
- “LA County Fire, Sheriff, Coast Guard, and Avalon Fire are on the scene,” — County Supervisor Janice Hahn
- “Of the onboard patients, four of the five have been found. There is still one outstanding. Two were transported to local area hospitals on the mainland in stable condition. We can confirm there are two deceased at the scene.” — Information Officer Jonathan Torres, county fire engineer
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Number of occupants: Early reports varied, with some officials stating “up to five” people might have been aboard, while later updates confirmed five occupants.
- Identity of victims: No names or roles of the deceased, injured or missing individuals were released.
- Cause of crash: The crash cause remains undetermined; investigators have not released preliminary findings.
What’s Next
The NTSB and FAA are expected to conduct a full investigation, including analysis of flight data and wreckage. Search teams will continue to search for the missing patient until the area is declared clear. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.