A medical helicopter with five people on board crashed into the water off Santa Catalina Island shortly after takeoff on Wednesday evening, officials said.
The incident involving a REACH Air Medical Services helicopter was reported near the helipad at Pebbly Beach, about a mile from Avalon, just after 7:50 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The U.S. Coast Guard, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Avalon Fire Department also responded.
Authorities say four people were pulled out from the scene and were taken to the hospital. LA County Fire said two were in unknown condition, while two others were stable. More details about their injuries were not immediately available.
At least one person remained missing Wednesday night, the fire department said.
“Conditions right now are actually calm on scene, so I would call them ideal search conditions,” Coast Guard Cmdr. Mark Leahey said. “But there is a lot of debris from the crash. There is some fuel in the water also from the helicopter. But our crews train for this, so we’re ready for the response.”
LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents Catalina Island, shared an X post following the crash.
“I have been informed that a medevac helicopter leaving Catalina Island has crashed shortly after takeoff,” she said. “LA 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.”
A spokesperson for Global Medical Response told NBC Los Angeles it was aware of the incident and was coordinating with authorities and first responders.
A dive team, multiple aircraft and boats were also searching the area.
This is a developing story.