Crime & Safety
Medevac Helicopter Crashes After Taking Off From Catalina; Search Underway
Four people were rescued from the crash, but one person remains unaccounted for.
AVALON, CA — A medavac helicopter crashed after takeoff from Catalina Island with at least five people on board late Wednesday night.
Rescue crews were able to save four people from the wreckage, but one person remains unaccounted for, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Fire crews and U.S. Coast Guard personnel responded around 7:55 p.m. Wednesday after receiving reports of a downed aircraft, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
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All four people rescued have been hospitalized, with two victims in stable condition.
No other information about the crash was immediately released.
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Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn issued a statement amid the search and rescue operation.
"I have been informed that a medevac helicopter leaving Catalina Island has crashed shortly after takeoff," she wrote on X. "LA County Fire, Sheriff, Coast Guard, and Avalon Fire are on the scene. Search and rescue operations are underway and I am praying for everyone who was on board."
City News Service contributed to this report.
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