Bystanders heroically lifted a helicopter off a trapped crew member after a crash on Highway 50 in Sacramento, aiding in a rapid rescue.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Bystanders jumped into action after a helicopter crashed onto Highway 50 in Sacramento Monday evening.
According to the Sacramento Fire Department, three crew members were on board when the crash happened.
“I thought it was going to land and it kept going down lower and it just nosedived. And when it nosedived, we all just was in shock,” said Isabella Lozano, who was taking her grandson home at the time.
Her grandson, Chris Lozano, was among the many people who left their cars to help the injured crew members.
“There was one that was outside and there was one underneath and there’s one in the cockpit. A bunch of people came, and we helped lift the helicopter and pulled her (one of the crew members) from under,” said Chris Lozano.
A TikTok user captured the moments the helicopter appeared to crash onto the highway.
Chris Lozano said the moment was surreal, adding that he could still see the helicopter falling from the sky in his mind.
Isabella Lozano echoed a similar sentiment.
“It was scary. It’s hella scary — something I wouldn’t want to ever see again,” she said.
Sacramento Fire Capt. Justin Sylvia said the three crew members on board were a pilot, a nurse and a paramedic. They had just offloaded a patient at UC Davis and were flying back when the crash happened.
He reiterated that multiple people helped lift the helicopter off one of the victims.
“At that point, crews were able to get her out. All 3 victims were transported within 20 minutes of arriving on scene, which is remarkable. Those stats are just not seen,” Sylvia said.
All three crew members were taken to the hospital in critical condition. For the crew member who was trapped, Sylvia said she was initially talking when she was pulled from the wreckage.
“I think without the help of the community tonight, this could have been a lot different outcome for that individual. Luckily, people are good humans, and they want to get out and help the community, and that’s exactly what they did tonight,” Sylvia said.