2 dead, 2 injured, 1 missing after Catalina Island helicopter crash

Rescue crews are continuing search efforts on Thursday morning for a missing person after a medical helicopter crashed in the ocean off the Catalina Island coastline. 

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said it dispatched helicopters and divers at around 7:50 p.m. on Wednesday, shortly after receiving the initial reports of the crash. Five people were aboard the flight, according to LA County Fire.

The U.S. Coast Guard said two people died at the scene, two people were hospitalized and one person is still missing.

In an update on Thursday morning, the Coast Guard said that teams have been working overnight to locate the missing person. Capt. Stacey Crecy said weather conditions were favorable and crews will continue search and rescue operations through the day. 

Crecy added that they believe the helicopter was transporting someone off of Catalina Island for additional medical treatment. 

The National Transportation Safety Board said it will investigate the crash, adding that the helicopter that went down was a Eurocopter EC 135 P2.

LA County Fire said the helicopter’s flight plan was unclear. Deputies said the helicopter belonged to Reach Air Medical Services.

Flight tracking data showed a Reach Air Medical Services helicopter taking off from Oceanside in San Diego County at 6:40 p.m. and landing on Catalina Island at 7:04 p.m. 

LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn wrote on X that the helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from the island roughly an hour later.

“Search and rescue operations are underway and I am praying for everyone who was on board,” Hahn wrote on X.  

A Reach spokesperson said the company is aware of the incident but could not provide further information.

“Our immediate concern is for the well-being of those involved,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement.