According to the county’s fire department, the Air Rescue 5 helicopter of the department crashed just before 5 p.m. on Saturday. It was responding to a vehicle which had rolled down on a twisting road in Angeles National Forest.
According to LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, all six passengers were flown to the hospital with various injuries including broken ribs and fractures.
Villanueva stated that the patients were in stable condition and some are more injured than others but they are still thankful for their lives. Villanueva spoke to reporters at Pomona Valley Medical Center.
The Super Puma helicopter was seen on its side in photos taken at the scene. It was spotted near the San Gabriel Dam, Azusa Canyon.
Villanueva stated that “it didn’t roll over and go all of the way down (the Cliff), or that there wasn’t fire, is nothing less than a miracle.”
Five of the helicopter’s occupants were part of an sheriff’s crew, while the sixth was a doctor who rode along with the University of California, Los Angeles.
Eric Weiss, spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board, stated that the National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the crash.
The Times reported that the helicopter crashed and two paramedics were on board to rescue the pilot and copilot. Villanueva stated that firefighters on the scene were able to help the vehicle roll over and were able to provide treatment for the injured.
Rescue helicopters make hundreds of trips annually over some of the most difficult terrain. They often fly into narrow canyons or deal with difficult topography.
Villanueva stated that the helicopter crew “saved thousands” over the years.
