January 1, Search Teams Scramble After Medevac Helicopter Vanishes Off California Coast

Wyatt’s Take

• A medical helicopter went down off Catalina Island and one person is still missing while four others are hurt.
• Coast Guard, fire crews, and sheriffs are working through the night to find the missing passenger.
• Families in heartland America depend on these air ambulances, so every crash raises real questions about safety and oversight.

A medevac helicopter crashed into the water off Catalina Island in California on Wednesday night, with one of the five people aboard reported missing and the other four taken to hospitals, according to officials.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department received reports of the crash shortly before 8 p.m.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with the fire department dispatching helicopters and divers shortly after learning of the crash.

The U.S. Coast Guard also responded to the crash.

“I have been informed that a medevac helicopter leaving Catalina Island has crashed shortly after takeoff. L.A. County Fire, Sheriff, Coast Guard, and Avalon Fire are on the scene,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said on X. “Search and rescue operations are underway, and I am praying for everyone who was on board.”

At least one of the five people aboard the helicopter remains unaccounted for as of late Wednesday night.

Two others were transported to hospitals in stable condition and the remaining two were transported in unknown condition, according to KTLA.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said two people were taken to a hospital on Catalina Island, while two others were transported to the Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA.

The fire department said the helicopter’s flight plan was unclear, according to CBS LA.

Deputies said the helicopter belonged to Reach Air Medical Services.

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

Reach said it was aware of the incident but could not provide further information.

“Our immediate concern is for the well-being of those involved,” a Reach spokesperson said in a statement to CBS LA.

Wyatt Matters

Working families count on air ambulances to get loved ones to care fast, and every tragedy like this reminds us how much we rely on safe skies and steady hands on the controls.