SACRAMENTO – A medical helicopter crashed onto eastbound Highway 50 Monday evening, leaving three crew members injured and causing traffic backups that stretched for miles into the night.
The crash was reported shortly after 7 p.m. near 59th Street in Sacramento. According to the California Highway Patrol, the aircraft had just departed UC Davis Medical Center when it went down on the freeway.
Onboard were a pilot, a nurse and a paramedic. All three sustained serious injuries and were transported for treatment in critical condition. No motorists or bystanders were struck in the crash. Witnesses reported the helicopter was flying unusually low before impact.
Sacramento Fire officials said one person was trapped beneath the wreckage, prompting a dramatic rescue effort. Roughly 15 bystanders rushed to lift the aircraft before emergency crews arrived, helping free the injured crew member. Smoke was reported in the area, though fire officials said no flames were visible at the scene.
The incident brought traffic to a halt on Highway 50. All eastbound lanes were closed, while one westbound lane was also blocked to allow emergency access. CHP warned that closures could extend for hours as investigators and cleanup crews worked through the evening. Drivers were diverted to alternate routes including Broadway and Folsom Boulevard, while Caltrans urged motorists to avoid the area entirely.
The crash’s impact was felt across the commute routes used by many in Folsom and El Dorado Hills. Traffic moving out of Sacramento toward Rancho Cordova and Folsom was gridlocked during the evening rush, with residual delays expected to last late into the night.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with federal agencies including the FAA and NTSB expected to review the incident.
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