4 rescued, 1 missing after medevac helicopter crashes off Catalina Island

Four people were rescued and one person remained missing Wednesday night after the crash of a medevac helicopter off Catalina Island, authorities said.

The aircraft was departing the island when the crash occurred around 7:40 p.m., just after takeoff. Multiple agencies responded to the crash and a search-and-rescue mission was quickly launched, according to officials.

L.A. County Fire Department Public Information Officer Jonathan Torres told The Times that the county initially received a call at 7:43 p.m. for a marine search and rescue involving three people, a number that was later increased to five.

Crews arrived around 8 p.m., he said.

Daniel Dominguez, a deputy sheriff with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, confirmed to The Times that a medevac helicopter had crashed. The aircraft typically transport ill or injured people. Dominguez was not immediately able to share further details, including the area of the island where the crash occurred.

At least four rescue helicopters were sent to the area to recover the people who were aboard the aircraft, according to Torres.

Of the four who were found, two were deemed to be stable and two were in unknown condition. A dive team was searching for the person who was still missing, according to Torres, who said the search would continue through the night.

It was not immediately known who owned the helicopter, Torres said.

“I have been informed that a medevac helicopter leaving Catalina Island has crashed shortly after takeoff,” Hahn posted Wednesday night on X. “LA County Fire, Sheriff, Coast Guard, and Avalon Fire are on the scene.

“Search and rescue operations are underway and I am praying for everyone who was on board,” she wrote.

The cause of the crash will be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, both expected to arrive Thursday, Dominguez said.