A helicopter crashed onto Highway 50 in Sacramento, California, on Monday evening, sparking panic among motorists and attracting emergency responders to the scene.
According to multiple news reports and eyewitnesses, the crash happened around 7 p.m. near the westbound lane of Highway 50, just east of 59th Street.
An eyewitness, Paula Clement from Gold River, told the Chronicle that she was caught in heavy traffic when she suddenly noticed a helicopter flying unusually low toward the freeway before crashing and sending a thick plume of black smoke into the air.
“It was so freaky,” Clement said. “I knew I had to get out of there. It was shocking.”
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Videos Show the Terrifying Moment
Several videos shared on social media platforms, including TikTok, captured the moment the helicopter descended and crashed onto the highway.
In one clip posted by a user identified as @Vladsmallco, the helicopter can be seen hovering above traffic before suddenly losing control and crashing onto its side. The impact sent up a large cloud of smoke, shocking drivers and passengers nearby.
While the California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed that Highway 50 was shut down east of 59th Street, the exact cause of the crash and details about possible injuries have not yet been confirmed.
The CHP also announced that the connector to Highway 99 was temporarily closed as emergency teams worked to secure the scene
Possible Flight Origin
Early reports suggest that the helicopter may have taken off from UC Davis Medical Center before the incident. A flight tracking app reportedly traced its path to the area of the crash shortly before the tragic event occurred.
However, officials from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol have yet to provide an official statement or details on the helicopter’s purpose, passengers, or cause of the crash.
Emergency Response
Firefighters, paramedics, and police officers arrived quickly to manage the situation and control the growing crowd. Videos shared online show several fire trucks and ambulances stationed near the crash site as responders battled smoke and potential fire hazards.
Traffic on both sides of the highway was brought to a standstill, and drivers were advised to seek alternative routes as cleanup operations continued late into the night.
Authorities are expected to release more information after completing their initial investigation into what led to the helicopter’s sudden descent.
What’s Next
As of now, there’s no official word on casualties or survivors, and authorities are urging the public to avoid spreading unverified information online until details are confirmed.
More updates are expected once the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) complete their preliminary findings
We’ll continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available from officials and eyewitnesses.
For now, our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic event.
