Medical helicopter crashes on Sacramento freeway

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(The Center Square) – A REACH Air Medical Services helicopter crashed Monday night on a Sacramento freeway, resulting in critical injuries to its three crew members and shutting down traffic for hours.

The helicopter, which was carrying a pilot, nurse and paramedic but no patients, didn’t hit any vehicles, according to authorities. No ground injuries were reported.

According to media reports, the helicopter just lifted from UC Davis Medical Center when it crashed at 7 p.m. on eastbound Highway 50, east of Stockton Boulevard. The freeway was closed until crews reopened it around 1:20 a.m. Tuesday.

There was a heavy backup on the freeway.

“We are in the process of determining the details of this situation, as well as the condition of the REACH crew involved, who were all taken to area hospitals,” REACH Air Medical Services said in a statement.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.