A helicopter crashed onto a busy Sacramento freeway Monday evening, prompting a massive emergency response and leaving multiple people injured, officials confirmed.
According to the Sacramento Fire Department, the aircraft went down on the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 near Howe Avenue just after sunset. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter spiraling out of control before slamming into the roadway and bursting into flames.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene, closing down traffic in both directions as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze and rescue victims from the wreckage. Authorities confirmed there are multiple victims, though the number of injured and the severity of their conditions remain unclear.
“We can confirm a helicopter has gone down on Highway 50 near Howe Avenue. Multiple victims have been reported. This is an active scene,” the Sacramento Fire Department wrote in a statement posted to social media.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to arrive at the crash site to determine what led to the midair emergency.
The California Highway Patrol has also been called in to manage traffic and assist with the investigation. Authorities have urged drivers to avoid the area as all eastbound lanes of Highway 50 remain closed.
Witnesses said the crash sent debris flying across the freeway and left several vehicles damaged. “It was like something out of a movie,” one driver told local media. “I saw the helicopter coming down fast, then there was a huge explosion.”
CBS Sacramento reported that both the FAA and CHP have been contacted for comment but have not yet responded.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more details become available.
