Three individuals were critically injured after a medical helicopter crashed onto U.S. Highway 50 near 59th Street in Sacramento late Monday evening. The incident occurred just after 7 p.m., causing the shutdown of eastbound lanes and disrupting westbound traffic. Emergency crews responded to the scene, where a red medical helicopter was found on the highway. Authorities confirmed injuries but did not disclose details about the number or severity of the wounds.
The helicopter had transported a patient to a hospital and was en route back to its dispatch location when it encountered an “in-air emergency,” according to Captain Justin Sylvia, a spokesperson for the Sacramento Fire Department. He described the crash as the aircraft landing upside-down, leaving a significant debris field. A pilot, nurse, and paramedic were taken to hospitals in critical condition, though no highway pedestrians were injured, a fact Sylvia called “mind blowing” given the crash’s location in the highway’s center.
Emergency responders worked to free one of the injured individuals trapped beneath the helicopter, collaborating with onlookers to move the aircraft off the woman and transport her to an ambulance. The Sacramento Fire Department confirmed that no vehicles were involved in the incident.
CHP spokesperson Michael Harper stated it remains unclear whether the helicopter was attempting an emergency landing. A TikTok video obtained by KCRA 3 showed the aircraft flying low over the freeway before crashing onto its side, with rotors damaging the road. Sacramento Councilmember Lisa Kaplan shared images of traffic backups caused by the crash.
REACH Air Medical Services issued a statement expressing concern for those involved: “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. We are in the process of determining the details of this situation, as well as the condition of the REACH crew involved, who were all taken to area hospitals.” The company pledged to share updates as they become available.
