A pilot, a nurse and a patient died when a medical helicopter carrying five people crashed off the coast of Catalina Island in California, officials said.
The helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from Catalina Island Wednesday evening and plunged into the water several hundred yards offshore, U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Stacey Crecy said.
Two men, including a medic, were rescued and hospitalized, officials said. Crecy said Thursday they were in stable condition.
The bodies of the pilot and the nurse were recovered quickly, but the fifth person on board, a female patient, was reported missing, prompting a lengthy search, officials said. The body was recovered on Thursday by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department divers, according to the Coast Guard.
"While this is a tragedy felt deeply by the families and community, I am reassured by the speed and determination with which our responders have come together," Crecy said in a statement on Friday. "Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones during this difficult time."
A spokesperson for REACH Air Medical Services said in a statement, "The entire REACH family is grieving. This has been an incredibly difficult and emotional time for our organization, and our hearts are with everyone affected by this tragedy."
"Our crews dedicate themselves to helping people on what are often the worst days of their lives. They answer the call at all hours to provide critical care to patients and support for families in moments of crisis," the spokesperson said. "While many questions remain, our commitment to the safety of our crews, patients, and communities remains unwavering."
"In the days ahead, our focus will remain on caring for our people, supporting their families and honoring the lives and service of those we have lost," the spokesperson added.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, the Coast Guard said.