A medevac helicopter crashed off the coast of Catalina Island on Wednesday evening, resulting in four individuals being rescued and one person still missing, according to authorities.
The aircraft was in the process of departing the island when the crash occurred at approximately 7:40 p.m. local time, shortly after takeoff. Multiple emergency agencies responded promptly to the incident, and a comprehensive search-and-rescue operation was immediately initiated.
L.A. County Fire Department Public Information Officer Jonathan Torres stated that the initial call received at 7:43 p.m. reported a marine search and rescue involving three individuals, a number later revised to five. Crews arrived on scene around 8 p.m.
Daniel Dominguez, a deputy sheriff with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, confirmed the crash of the medevac helicopter, which typically transports patients. Details regarding the specific location of the crash on the island were not immediately available.
At least four rescue helicopters were deployed to the area to recover the occupants. Of the four individuals found, two were reported to be in stable condition, while the condition of the other two remains unknown. A dive team is actively searching for the missing person, with operations expected to continue through the night.
The ownership of the helicopter has not yet been determined. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are expected to arrive on Thursday to investigate the cause of the crash.
