1 missing, 4 rushed to hospital after helicopter crashes off Southern California island

Five on Medevac Helicopter Crashed Off Catalina Island; One Still Missing

Los Angeles, Calif. – A medical evacuation helicopter crashed into the Pacific waters near Catalina Island on Wednesday evening, leaving five people aboard—one unaccounted for and four injured. The incident has prompted a large search and rescue effort involving the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, the county sheriff’s office and local fire crews from Avalon.

The crash occurred shortly before 8 p.m. local time. Flight‑tracking data show the Reach Air Medical Services aircraft departed Oceanside, in San Diego County, at 6:40 p.m., then flew to Catalina Island, arriving at 7:04 p.m. The helicopter was on a short‑haul medevac mission, but investigators say its flight plan was unclear at the time of the accident.

“At least one of the five people aboard the helicopter remains unaccounted for as of late Wednesday night,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed. “Two passengers were transported to a hospital on Catalina Island, while the other two were taken to the Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA.”

The county’s fire department dispatched several helicopters and divers immediately after receiving the first report. “We are pulling all available resources to locate survivors and secure the area,” said a spokesperson for the department. The U.S. Coast Guard also arrived on the scene and joined the search, conducting a coordinated effort with local agencies.

County supervisor Janice Hahn posted the news on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, adding, “I have been informed that a medevac helicopter leaving Catalina Island has crashed shortly after takeoff. L.A. County Fire, Sheriff, Coast Guard, and Avalon Fire are on the scene. Search and rescue operations are underway, and I am praying for everyone who was on board.”

Reach Air Medical Services issued a brief statement to CBS Los Angeles, acknowledging the incident but offering no further details beyond the company’s concern for those involved: “Our immediate concern is for the well‑being of those involved.”

The helicopter’s occupants were a mix of medical staff and patients. According to local media reports, two patients were transported to hospitals in relatively stable condition, while the remaining two passengers were admitted in unknown conditions. The nature of the injuries and whether any of the patients had been receiving treatment en route are still unknown.

At this time, the identity of the missing individual has not been released, and officials have not yet confirmed whether the person was a crew member or a patient. Rescue teams continue to comb the waters off the island’s western coast, where the aircraft is believed to have gone down.

The incident underscores the risks associated with short‑haul medevac flights in the region’s often unpredictable weather. While the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, authorities are working to determine whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or environmental factors played a role.

The Catalina Island community, which receives many medical transport flights each year, expressed its shock and support for the crew and passengers. “We’re all praying for the missing person and for the safety of all medical crews who fly this route,” said a local resident. “This is a tragic reminder of how quickly things can go wrong.”

For those following the investigation, updates are expected as more information becomes available. The Los Angeles County Fire Department and the sheriff’s office have asked anyone with sightings or additional details to contact emergency services or the Coast Guard. Meanwhile, the community remains on high alert as authorities work to locate the missing passenger and bring closure to the families and loved ones of those aboard.

Contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department or the U.S. Coast Guard for the latest updates on the search and rescue operation.