Medical Helicopter Crashes on Sacramento Highway, 3 Critical

A routine return flight turned into a terrifying emergency on Monday evening when a REACH Air Medical helicopter crashed on Highway 50 in Sacramento, leaving three crew members critically injured.

The helicopter had just completed a patient drop-off at a local hospital and was heading back to its base when it experienced what officials described as an “in-air emergency” shortly after 7 p.m. The aircraft went down in the eastbound lanes of the highway, stunning motorists and halting traffic for miles.

Quick Thinking by Motorists and Firefighters

According to Captain Justin Sylvia of the Sacramento Fire Department, it was nothing short of a miracle that no motorists were hurt.

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“People reported seeing the helicopter descend rapidly, which caused drivers to slow down,” Sylvia said.

One of the injured crew members — a woman — was trapped beneath the wreckage. In a dramatic moment, a small fire crew and bystanders on the highway joined forces, using sheer strength to lift the helicopter just enough to pull her out. “It took every ounce of all approximately 15 people to move that aircraft up just enough to get her out,” Sylvia said.

All three people aboard — the pilot, a nurse, and a paramedic — were rushed to nearby hospitals in critical condition.

Highway Shut Down, Traffic Backed Up

The crash brought traffic to a standstill as the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 were closed for hours. Photos shared online showed a long line of vehicles stretching back behind the downed aircraft.

Emergency crews worked into the night, and California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers remained on the scene to investigate the cause of the crash.

Smoke, Shock, and Gratitude

Sacramento City Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan, who happened to be on a law-enforcement ride-along at the time, described seeing plumes of white smoke rising from the helicopter.

“It’s sombering and sobering,” Kaplan said. “You realize the risks these pilots and medical teams take every day to save lives.”

The company operating the helicopter, REACH Air Medical Services, said it was focused on supporting the injured crew and thanked the emergency responders and bystanders for their quick actions.

Investigation Underway

As of late Monday night, officials had not determined what caused the mid-air emergency that led to the crash. The CHP and federal investigators are expected to examine the wreckage as part of a detailed inquiry.

The incident highlighted both the risks faced by medical flight crews and the life-saving power of ordinary people who didn’t hesitate to help in a moment of crisis.