Authorities recovered the final body from a medevac helicopter that crashed off Catalina Island, killing three and injuring two. The patient was identified as 45-year-old Catalina Hernandez; her son aboard the flight sustained broken bones. The REACH Air Medical Services Eurocopter EC135 went down shortly after takeoff and was found in about 218 feet of water. The NTSB has opened an investigation into the cause.
Final Body Recovered After Medevac Helicopter Crash Off Catalina Island; Patient Identified
A fifth victim of a helicopter crash in California has been found dead. Image courtesy of UPI
Authorities recovered the final body from a medevac helicopter that crashed Wednesday evening off Catalina Island, California, officials said.
Crash Overview
Three people were killed and two others were injured when a REACH Air Medical Services helicopter, a Eurocopter EC135, went down shortly after takeoff from Avalon at about 7:50 p.m. PDT. Rescuers located the wreckage in roughly 218 feet of water after nearly 24 hours of underwater searching.
Victims and Passengers
Family members identified the final victim as 45-year-old Catalina Hernandez of Avalon, who had been listed as missing while divers searched the submerged aircraft. Hernandez reportedly was being flown to a hospital after suffering an allergic reaction to shrimp. Her son, who was aboard, survived but sustained broken bones and was treated at a hospital.
The other fatalities included the flight nurse, identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner as 48-year-old Jessica Devries, and the pilot. A second crew member survived and was recovering in hospital, a REACH spokesperson said.
Local Response and Investigation
Oceanside Fire Department Chief Jessamyn Specht said her department had known the flight crew for many years and that the helicopter had been based at the department's training center for more than a decade.
"It's a gut punch. To hear it hit so close to home, it hurt," Specht said.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents Catalina Island, posted on X that L.A. County Fire, the Sheriff, the Coast Guard and Avalon Fire responded to the scene and that search-and-rescue operations were underway.
The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the cause of the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the operator and aircraft type but did not immediately provide a cause.
Ongoing Developments
Officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. Authorities have not yet released information about the pilot or the condition of the surviving crew member beyond initial statements from REACH and local agencies.
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