Emergency Response After Helicopter Crash

A group of bystanders acted quickly to help after a medical helicopter crashed on a California highway Monday night, leaving the crew trapped.

The collision took place on Highway 50, just east of downtown Sacramento, resulting in critical injuries for the pilot, nurse, and paramedic. Reportedly, the helicopter had just taken off from a hospital after delivering a patient when an “air emergency” led to the crash around 7 p.m. REACH Air Medical Services confirmed the incident involved one of their helicopters and provided updates on the crew’s conditions.

Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) Captain Peter Vanders-Lewis mentioned that he quickly gathered about 15 drivers to assist in lifting the helicopter off the trapped paramedic. “It was really instinctual; people just stepped up and followed my directions without a second thought,” he noted. “It actually wasn’t too difficult to lift.”

Vanders-Lewis was among the first responders on site and realized immediate action was necessary. “Hearing the woman moan drove me to shout for help to remove the helicopter from her,” he recounted.

Footage captured the helicopter flying dangerously low before crashing into an embankment and sliding onto the highway. Witness Amy Braddock shared her shock, saying, “It just fell from the sky and hit hard. Then there was this huge cloud of black smoke.” She described how when people began moving to help, she ran over to join them, assisting in pushing the helicopter.

According to accounts, one firefighter discovered that the paramedic was trapped by her seatbelt. Firefighters crawled beneath the aircraft and managed to free her. The group of bystanders was able to lift the helicopter in about 30 seconds, allowing paramedics to get to the crew swiftly.

SFD spokesman Captain Justin Sylvia initially thought he was responding to a vehicle accident and was unaware it involved a helicopter. He acknowledged that their team wasn’t adequately equipped for such a situation, but the rapid intervention of bystanders proved crucial.

Officials confirmed that there were no patients aboard the helicopter. REACH Medical Services later identified the crew and provided updates on their health status. Captain Chad Millward and Flight Paramedic Margaret ‘Dede’ Davis remain in critical but stable condition, while Flight Nurse Susan ‘Susie’ Smith is in critical and unstable condition.

In a statement, REACH expressed their gratitude to the bystanders who aided in the rescue, emphasizing that they are cooperating with ongoing investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.