Public Safety
Three killed in Catalina medical helicopter crash
All three victims have been identified after divers recovered the patient from the submerged aircraft; two survivors remain hospitalized.
A REACH Air Medical Services helicopter carrying five people crashed into the ocean shortly after taking off from Santa Catalina Island on September 30. Los Angeles County sheriff’s divers recovered the patient from the submerged aircraft October 1, ending the search and bringing the death toll to three, the Associated Press reported October 2.
What it means locally
The Los Angeles Times reported October 3 that the pilot was 59-year-old Steven “Steve” Robinson and the flight nurse was 48-year-old Jessica deVries, citing REACH Air Medical Services and Los Angeles County medical examiner records. The patient was 45-year-old Avalon resident Catalina Hernandez, according to reporting based on her family’s identification. Two survivors — another medic and Hernandez’s adult son — were taken to mainland hospitals. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating; no cause has been determined. The accompanying image is an undated archival photograph of a different REACH helicopter in Idyllwild and does not show the Catalina Island aircraft, crash, victims or response.
Full reports and further details: Los Angeles Times identification report → · Associated Press recovery report →