A medical helicopter has crashed into the sea off the coast of Los Angeles, California, killing two people, injuring two others and leaving one missing.
The helicopter was taking off from Santa Catalina Island and heading towards the mainland when the accident occurred on Wednesday evening, local authorities told US media.
Los Angeles County Fire Engineer Jonathan Torres said emergency services responded to reports of the crash at about 7.53pm local time.
“Of the onboard patients, four of the five have been found. There is still one outstanding,” Torres told television station KTLA.
“Two were transported to local area hospitals on the mainland in stable condition. We can confirm there are two deceased at the scene.”
Search and rescue operations were ongoing as authorities continued efforts to locate the missing person.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn confirmed that a medical evacuation helicopter leaving Catalina Island had crashed shortly after take-off.
She said on X that rescue teams were searching for survivors and expressed concern for everyone on board.
Santa Catalina Island, a tourist destination off Southern California, lies about 22 miles from the Los Angeles harbour area.
REACH Air Medical Services confirmed to local television station KABC that one of its helicopters was involved in the crash. The company had yet to respond to a request for comment from AFP.
The incident follows another crash involving a REACH medical helicopter in California in October 2025. That aircraft crashed onto a highway, critically injuring all three people on board, with one later dying from her injuries.
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