Multiple Injuries After Helicopter Crashes Onto Highway

Three people were critically injured after a medical helicopter crashed onto a highway in California.

A pilot, nurse, and paramedic were transported to hospitals after the helicopter crashed onto U.S. Highway 50 near 59th Street in Sacramento.

“The crash happened near 59th Street just after 7 p.m., shutting down eastbound lanes and slowing westbound traffic. Images show what appears to be a red medical helicopter on the road as emergency crews respond. Authorities are confirming injuries but have not released details on how many or how severe, Mario Nawfal wrote.

BREAKING: NEW VIDEO SHOWS HELICOPTER CRASH ON HIGHWAY IN SACRAMENTO

A helicopter went down on Highway 50 in Sacramento, California, Monday night, leaving multiple victims.

The crash happened near 59th Street just after 7 p.m., shutting down eastbound lanes and slowing… https://t.co/C2JAMo4ngm pic.twitter.com/6gJL7btC44

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 7, 2025

More from the Associated Press:

The helicopter had taken a patient to a hospital and was on the way back to the place it had been dispatched from when it experienced an “in-air emergency” just after 7 p.m. Monday, said Captain Justin Sylvia, a spokesperson for the Sacramento Fire Department. He said it looks like the helicopter crashed upside-down and left a large debris field.

A pilot, nurse and paramedic were taken to hospitals and were in critical condition, he said. No one on the highway was injured, he said, calling that “mind blowing” given that the helicopter crashed in the center of the highway.

“People reported that they basically saw the helicopter kind of going down quickly. So all the traffic slowed down,” Sylvia said.

One of the people injured was trapped underneath the helicopter and a small crew from the fire department was able to work with people on the highway to push the aircraft off the woman to get her out and into an ambulance.

“Crews responded to a helicopter down on EB US50 West of 59th St. On arrival, 3 victims from the aircraft were located in critical condition. No vehicles were involved, just the helicopter,” the Sacramento Fire Department stated.

Helicopter Crash

US HWY 50 at 59th St.

Crews responded to a helicopter down on EB US50 West of 59th St. On arrival, 3 victims from the aircraft were located in critical condition. No vehicles were involved, just the helicopter. pic.twitter.com/dXPyGQ5cEl

— Sacramento Fire Department (@SacFirePIO) October 7, 2025

KCRA 3 noted:

When asked if the helicopter was trying to make an emergency landing, CHP spokesperson Michael Harper said that it is not yet known. However, a TikTok video obtained by KCRA 3 shows a helicopter flying low above the freeway. The helicopter is briefly off-screen before the video pans back to the aircraft, which is now on its side, rotors tearing into the road.

Sacramento Councilmember Lisa Kaplan shared a photo of the crash, showing long traffic backups in the area when the crash initially happened.

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REACH Air Medical Services shared a statement on its social media following the crash:

“We are aware of an accident involving a REACH Air Medical helicopter on Highway 50 in Sacramento this evening and are keeping all those impacted in our thoughts and prayers.

We are in the process of determining the details of this situation, as well as the condition of the REACH crew involved, who were all taken to area hospitals. We will continue to provide information as it becomes available.

There was no patient on board.

We appreciate the concern and support from our community and will share updates when appropriate.”

Additional coverage below: