Medevac helicopter crashes off Catalina Island, killing two; one missing

NTSB identifies helicopter as Eurocopter EC 135 P2

The Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatched responders at 7:53 p.m. PDT Wednesday to the medevac helicopter crash near Avalon, California, off the coast of Catalina Island. The helicopter carried five people, according to LACOFD.

First responders recovered four victims from the water. The agency did not disclose the conditions of the two injured survivors.

“This remains an active scene with search-and-rescue operations continuing throughout the night,” LACOFD said in a social media statement.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the crash and identified the involved aircraft as a Eurocopter EC 135 P2 that went down near Avalon, Calif.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said she had been informed of the crash and that it occurred shortly after takeoff.

“Search-and-rescue operations are underway and I am praying for everyone who was on board,” Hahn said in a statement.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Avalon Fire and the U.S. Coast Guard joined LACOFD in the search for the missing fifth occupant.

The story is developing. Further details were not immediately available.