A medical helicopter crashed off the coast of Catalina Island near Los Angeles, killing two people and leaving two hospitalized, authorities said.
Rescuers searched Thursday morning for a fifth person who was on board the plane and who was missing, Los Angeles County firefighters said in a message posted on social media.
First responders were called to the scene of the accident shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday and pulled four people from the water. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene and two others were transported in stable condition to hospitals on the mainland, firefighters said.
“This remains an active scene with search and rescue operations continuing throughout the night,” the department said.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the crash.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said in an article on X that she was told the medevac helicopter crashed shortly after Catalina took off.
County firefighters and rescue workers responded to the scene, along with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Sheriff’s Department, officials said.
Authorities said the helicopter was submerged in 250 feet of water off the coast of Catalina, located about 22 miles (35 km) off the coast of Los Angeles County.
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The helicopter is believed to belong to Reach Air Medical Services of Sacramento, California, KTLA-TV reported.
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