(NewsNation) — Three people are hospitalized in critical condition after a medical helicopter crashed onto a busy highway in Sacramento, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A pilot, nurse and paramedic were aboard the plane when it crashed Monday night. A group of bystanders helped lift the helicopter off one of the victims, the Sacramento Fire Department said.
Videos of the crash obtained by NewsNation local affiliate KTLA show the aircraft diving toward the highway, making impact and filling eastbound lanes with smoke and debris.
The crash, which happened just after 7 p.m. local time on Monday, brought traffic on Highway 50 to a halt for miles. Officials have not announced any motorist injuries as of Tuesday morning.
The helicopter that crashed is operated by REACH Air Medica