News out of California

Three people are in critical condition after a medical helicopter crashed on a northern California freeway on Oct. 6, authorities said.

The incident occurred on eastbound U.S. Highway 50 near 59th Street in Sacramento, California, according to Officer Michael Harper, a spokesperson for California Highway Patrol. Units from the Sacramento Fire Department responded to the scene shortly after 7 p.m. PT, said Capt. Justin Sylvia.

"The only three victims on scene were aboard the aircraft," Sylvia said at a news conference. "They were transported to local hospitals. We could not overwhelm UC Davis with three critical patients all at once. Therefore, we contacted UC Davis and asked them for destinations for these victims."

The victims — two women and a man — were identified as a pilot, a nurse, and a paramedic, according to Sylvia.

Sylvia said all three were transported in critical condition and added that one victim had been trapped underneath the helicopter. Bystanders in the area helped authorities lift part of the helicopter and get the victim out, who was then loaded into an ambulance, according to Sylvia.

"There has been a harrowing helicopter crash on 50 eastbound west of 59th St.," Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty said in a post on X. Thank you to our brave first responders (@SacFirePIO) & ~15 bystanders who assisted Sac Fire until more units arrived on scene."

No vehicles involved in the helicopter crash

The incident prompted a large emergency response and a closure of the highway. Sylvia noted that there was a "large debris field" in the area and said the helicopter had crashed upside down on the highway.

Authorities initially received reports that vehicles were involved in the crash, Sylvia said, but further investigation showed that there were no vehicles involved.

According to Harper, the crash impacted eastbound traffic and the eastbound lanes were completely blocked. Harper said authorities were redirecting traffic, and he did not have an estimated time of opening.

He urged drivers to find an alternate route "for the foreseeable future."

Harper added that it will likely be a dual agency investigation with either the Federal Aviation Administration or the National Transportation Safety Board.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 3 injured after medical helicopter crashes on California freeway, authorities say

Reporting by Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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