The crash of the REACH Air Medical Services helicopter on Highway 50 has prompted an extensive emergency response from local authorities and medical teams in Sacramento. The incident occurred Monday night, disrupting eastbound traffic and causing significant delays as emergency crews worked to secure the scene and assist those injured. Thankfully, no patient was on board the helicopter at the time, indicating that the flight was likely in transit either to pick up or transport a patient.
Multiple crew members suffered injuries and were quickly transported to area hospitals for treatment, though the company has not yet released detailed information about their conditions. According to flight-tracking records, the helicopter had just taken off from UC Davis Medical Center, a major trauma and medical facility in the region, when it crashed. This suggests the aircraft was either departing for a mission or returning from one.
Air Medical Services Helicopter
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has launched an investigation and is working closely with federal agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to determine the cause of the crash. The collaboration aims to piece together the sequence of events leading to the accident and to establish safety recommendations to prevent future incidents. Until the investigation is complete, the wreckage will remain on the freeway, preventing the reopening of eastbound lanes.
REACH Air Medical Services has expressed concern for their crew and confirmed they are actively gathering information about the crash. They emphasized that their highest priority is the well-being of the crew members involved and supporting the investigation. The event serves as a reminder of the risks faced by air medical transport personnel who perform critical, life-saving work under demanding circumstances.
Authorities have urged drivers to avoid the area and to seek alternate routes while emergency operations and cleanup continue. Additional updates are expected once officials have more information from the ongoing investigation.
