Air ambulence helicopter crashes off Catalina Island with 5 folks aboard

An air ambulance helicopter crashed into the ocean off Catalina Island Wednesday evening simply seconds after departing Avalon, sending crews racing to the scene with 5 folks reportedly aboard.

The REACH helicopter took off at 7:46 p.m. and climbed to 175 toes earlier than descending, in keeping with ADS-B knowledge cited by Squawk.

Its sign disappeared eight seconds after takeoff, in keeping with Squawk.

The Los Angeles County Hearth Division dispatched helicopters and divers round 7:50 p.m. after receiving studies of a helicopter down close to the island, CBS reported.

The incident was particularly reported close to Pebbly Seaside, in keeping with NBC.

A Coast Guard MH-60 additionally responded.

A minimum of three of those people had been pulled immediately from the plane and the water, in keeping with NBC.

As of 8:40 p.m., nobody had been transported, LA County Hearth stated.

LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn launched a press release concerning the continued incident: “I’ve been knowledgeable {that a} medevac helicopter leaving Catalina Island has crashed shortly after takeoff. LA County Hearth, Sheriff, Coast Guard, and Avalon Hearth are on the scene. Search and rescue operations are underway and I’m praying for everybody who was on board.”

LA County Hearth stated the helicopter’s flight plan was unclear Wednesday evening because the rescue operation continued off Catalina.

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