OCEANSIDE — Divers recovered the body of a missing patient from a medical helicopter that departed Oceanside before crashing off Catalina Island on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to three, authorities said Thursday.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department divers found the body of Catalina Hernandez, 45, of Avalon, in the wreckage before 6:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Two others aboard the helicopter survived.
The California Post first reported the recovery Friday morning. Family members identified Hernandez as the patient being transported for treatment of an allergic reaction.
The REACH Air Medical Services helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff around 7:55 p.m. Wednesday near Avalon, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Flight-tracking data showed the helicopter took off from the Oceanside Fire Department helipad at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday and arrived on the island before going down shortly after departing for the return trip.
Four people were pulled from the water Wednesday night. Two were pronounced dead, and two were airlifted to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, fire officials said.
The pilot and a nurse died, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Their identities have not been released.
Hernandez’s family said she suffered an allergic reaction after eating shrimp. Her son accompanied her on the flight to help translate and survived with broken bones, according to the family. Another crew member also survived and was recovering at a hospital, a REACH spokesperson said Thursday.
The search for Hernandez involved multiple agencies and covered more than 156 square miles, the Coast Guard said. The agency deployed a 45-foot response boat and a helicopter crew to search overnight.
At a Thursday afternoon news conference, Los Angeles County fire officials said the helicopter was found in 218 feet of water.
Oceanside Fire Chief Jessamyn Specht said Thursday that the helicopter crew had long-standing ties to the department. The aircraft had been based at the department’s training center for more than a decade.
“It’s a gut punch,” Specht said. “To hear it hit so close to home, it hurt.”
REACH confirmed that one of its helicopters was involved in the crash.
“At this time, we are gathering information and coordinating with emergency responders and authorities,” the company posted on Facebook Thursday morning. “Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones and colleagues affected by this tragedy. We are focused on supporting our team and everyone impacted during this incredibly difficult time. Out of respect for those involved and the ongoing response, we are unable to share additional details at this time.”
The cause of the crash was not immediately known. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
Original article
Comments