Sacramento, California – A tragic and dramatic helicopter crash occurred Monday evening in Sacramento, capturing the attention of emergency responders, commuters, and the entire community. According to authorities, a medical helicopter operated by REACH Air Medical Services crashed onto the eastbound lanes of Highway 50, just east of Stockton Boulevard and near 59th Street, shortly after taking off from UC Davis Medical Center. The aircraft was on its way to Redding when it suddenly went down, prompting a large-scale emergency response and immediate road closures.
The crash happened around 7:00 p.m., during a time when many people were still on the road. The helicopter was carrying three crew members at the time of the crash—a pilot, a flight nurse, and a paramedic. Fortunately, no patients were being transported during the flight. All three crew members were critically injured and were transported by ambulance to nearby hospitals for emergency care. Their names and current conditions have not been released to the public.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing the helicopter descending rapidly before crashing into the highway. Many drivers noticed the helicopter coming down and instinctively began to slow down or pull over, potentially saving their own lives and those of others. Officials said it was incredibly fortunate—and almost miraculous—that no cars were directly hit and that no civilians on the roadway were injured. Fire officials called this outcome “mind-blowing,” considering the potential for massive casualties.
Sacramento Fire Department spokesperson Captain Justin Sylvia spoke to the media at the scene, providing details about the intense rescue efforts. According to Captain Sylvia, one of the most critical moments came when firefighters and bystanders worked together to rescue one of the crew members who had become trapped underneath the wreckage of the helicopter.
“It took every ounce of effort from everyone involved—firefighters, paramedics, and about 15 courageous bystanders—to lift the helicopter just enough to pull her out,” Sylvia said. “Everyone worked as one team. It was a true community effort, and without that, she may not have survived.”
