A shocking helicopter crash in Sacramento has turned a regular Tuesday evening into a scene of chaos and disbelief. A REACH Air Medical Helicopter reportedly crashed on the eastbound lanes of Highway 50, forcing authorities to completely shut down traffic in both directions. The incident occurred shortly after 7 p.m., moments after the chopper took off from UC Davis Medical Center, according to reports from OC Scanner.

Eyewitnesses described the moment as sudden and terrifying. “It just dropped out of nowhere,” said one driver stuck in traffic near downtown Sacramento. “There was smoke, flashing lights, and people just trying to figure out what happened.”

Officials confirmed that injuries have been reported, though the number of victims and their conditions remain unclear. Emergency services, including firefighters, police, and medical crews, rushed to the scene within minutes.

Story Highlights

• Location: Eastbound Highway 50, near downtown Sacramento
• Aircraft: REACH Air Medical Helicopter
• Flight Origin: UC Davis Medical Center
• Time of Crash: Shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday
• Tail Number: A4E489 (as per flight radar)
• Traffic: Complete closure of eastbound lanes; westbound partially affected
• Investigation: Ongoing

Photos and videos circulating across social media show a REACH Air Medical Helicopter lying across multiple lanes, with emergency responders working around the wreckage. The images have sparked widespread concern online, with many users sharing prayers for the victims and appreciation for the first responders risking their safety at the site.

A dramatic video that surfaced shortly after the crash captures the helicopter’s descent near downtown Sacramento. The footage, now viral, shows vehicles swerving and halting abruptly as the chopper strikes the highway — an unsettling reminder of how quickly a medical rescue mission can turn into a disaster.

Local law enforcement has urged people to stay away from the area as traffic remains heavily impacted. Authorities said it may take several hours before Highway 50 in Sacramento reopens to normal flow. Detours have been set up, but long backups continue to stretch through nearby routes.

Sacramento Councilmember Lisa Kaplan, who happened to be in the air with the Sheriff’s Department during the incident, shared her firsthand reaction on X (formerly Twitter).

“Tonight, I flew along with Sac Sheriff in their helicopter. Every day is not a given. We were one of the first to show up at the helicopter crash from above,” Kaplan wrote.

“It was sobering. I pray for all in the crash. Thank our officers and all whom pilot for their public service.”

In a follow-up post, she added a warning to local residents and commuters:

“Stay off Highway 50 — both ways closed.”

The REACH Air Medical Services operates across California, providing emergency air transport for critical medical cases. While officials have not confirmed whether the helicopter was carrying a patient at the time, sources suggest it was in the process of returning after a medical mission.

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to conduct a detailed probe into the cause of the crash. Mechanical failure, weather conditions, and flight control issues are all under review.

As the night unfolded, emergency crews worked to clear the wreckage and secure the crash site. The flashing red and blue lights against the dark Sacramento skyline painted a grim picture of a mission gone wrong — one that has left the city anxious and reflective.

The Sacramento helicopter crash on Highway 50 serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by air medical teams every day, flying through unpredictable conditions to save lives.

Authorities have not released the identities of those onboard. Further updates are expected once officials confirm the status of the crew and any passengers.

For now, Sacramento’s Highway 50 remains closed, and investigators continue their work to determine what brought the REACH Air Medical Helicopter down on one of California’s busiest highways.

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