Divers recover final missing victim from California medical helicopter crash

Police divers have recovered the body of a patient who went missing after a medical helicopter crashed into the Pacific Ocean near California’s Catalina Island, bringing the death toll to three. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department divers found the victim in the wreckage on Thursday after searching more than 156 square miles over 23 hours, the Coast Guard said in a statement on Friday. The helicopter had five people aboard when it went down shortly after takeoff and struck the water near the island.

First responders pulled four people from the sea on Wednesday night. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene and two others were taken to mainland hospitals in stable condition. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna identified the two initially confirmed fatalities as the male pilot and a female nurse.

Authorities had not released the victims’ names. The helicopter operator, REACH Air Medical Services, confirmed that two crew members died and another was recovering in hospital. Relatives told ABC7 that the patient was being transported from Catalina Island to the mainland for treatment after an allergic reaction.

Her 20-year-old son was travelling with her to help translate. The wreckage was about 200 feet deep, Luna said. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause and identified the aircraft as a Eurocopter EC-135-P2.

A board spokesperson said it would be moved to a secure facility for examination. The helicopter had arrived on Catalina Island shortly after 7 p.m. following a 24-minute flight from Oceanside, according to Flightradar24.

A memorial service was held on the island. REACH said its focus was caring for employees, supporting families and honouring those who died.