Helicopter crew and patient killed in California crash

A SkyLife Air Medical helicopter is reported to have crashed in California, US, in heavy rain and fog, killing all four people onboard. The accident occurred in a rural area in the central region of the state during the night of 10 December.

The crew, listed as a pilot, a nurse and a paramedic, were transporting a patient to a hospital in Bakersfield when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Porterville. The aircraft, which was based in Visalia, crashed approximately halfway into the 50-mile trip. The poor weather meant that it was some two hours before responders were able to locate and reach the accident site.

Todd Valeri, CEO of American Ambulance, told reporters that the crew was ‘very experienced’. He added: “The crew involved were wonderful people, and it is just tragic and devastating. We’re so thankful for the efforts of law enforcement and fire [personnel] in Kern County and all the support that we’ve been receiving.”

Dispatchers were notified of the helicopter’s departure from Porterville at 18:52 hrs. There was no response to an attempt to contact the crew for a routine check-in at 19:05 hrs. A Kern County Sheriff’s Office helicopter team reported their sighting of a debris field near McFarland at around 20:35 hrs.

Skylife Air Medical began operations in June 1991 as a partnership between Rogers Helicopters and American Ambulance and transports around 1,000 patients per year.