A medical helicopter crashed onto U.S. Highway 50 near 59th Street in Sacramento, leaving three crew members critically injured. The incident occurred just after 7 p.m., causing the shutdown of eastbound lanes and slowing westbound traffic. Emergency crews responded to the scene, where a red medical helicopter was seen on the road. Authorities confirmed injuries but did not disclose details about the number or severity of the cases.

The helicopter, which had transported a patient to a hospital, was returning to its dispatch location when it encountered an “in-air emergency” shortly after 7 p.m., according to Captain Justin Sylvia of the Sacramento Fire Department. He described the crash as the aircraft landing upside-down with a significant debris field. A pilot, nurse, and paramedic were taken to hospitals in critical condition. No highway occupants were injured, a fact Sylvia called “mind blowing” given the helicopter’s impact in the center of the road.

One of the injured was trapped under the wreckage, requiring fire department crews to collaborate with bystanders to lift the aircraft off the individual and transport them via ambulance. The Sacramento Fire Department confirmed that no vehicles were involved in the crash, only the helicopter.

CHP spokesperson Michael Harper noted that it remains unclear whether the helicopter was attempting an emergency landing. A TikTok video obtained by KCRA 3 showed the aircraft flying low over the freeway before crashing onto its side, with rotors damaging the road. Sacramento Councilmember Lisa Kaplan shared images of traffic backups caused by the crash.

REACH Air Medical Services issued a statement expressing concern for those affected: “We are in the process of determining the details of this situation, as well as the condition of the REACH crew involved, who were all taken to area hospitals.” The company added it would provide updates as information becomes available.