Air ambulance helicopter crashes into ocean off Catalina Island with five aboard
A REACH air ambulance helicopter went down shortly after leaving Avalon, Catalina Island, on the evening of 30 September. Accounts of how many survivors were found differ and the cause is unknown.
Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from CBS News.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
A medical helicopter crashed into the ocean off Catalina Island, Los Angeles County, on the night of Wednesday 30 September. CBS NewsLC “a medical helicopter crashed in the ocean on Wednesday night” Read at CBS News ↗ New York PostR “just seconds after departing Avalon” Read at New York Post ↗ Flight-tracking data showed it was a REACH helicopter that took off at 7:46 p.m., reached 175 feet and then descended; its signal was lost eight seconds after takeoff, according to the New York Post. New York PostR “The REACH helicopter took off at 7:46 p.m. and climbed to 175 feet before descending”“Its signal disappeared eight seconds after takeoff” Read at New York Post ↗ LA County Fire said it dispatched helicopters and divers at around 7:50 p.m., and five people were reported aboard. CBS NewsLC “dispatched helicopters and divers at around 7:50 p.m.” Read at CBS News ↗ Hindustan TimesN “Five people were onboard” Read at Hindustan Times ↗
Reports of the rescue differ. The New York Post, citing firefighters, said three people were rescued by boat crews and two were spotted by the US Coast Guard, and that no one had been transported as of 8:40 p.m. New York PostR “Three people were rescued by boat crews, while two others were spotted by the US Coast Guard, firefighters said.”“As of 8:40 p.m., no one had been transported, LA County Fire said.” Read at New York Post ↗ CBS News, citing the LA County Sheriff's Department, said two people were taken to a hospital on Catalina Island and two to UCLA's Ronald Reagan Medical Center, all in unknown condition, while the fifth person was still missing as of 9:40 p.m. CBS NewsLC “Two other people were taken to the Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA”“the fifth person was still missing as of 9:40 p.m.” Read at CBS News ↗ Hindustan Times relayed NBC Los Angeles saying one person remained missing, and an unverified Facebook post from a local journalist saying the flight nurse and pilot were in cardiac arrest. Hindustan TimesN “one person remained missing”“However, this information remains unverified.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗
LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn said search and rescue operations were underway and that she was praying for everyone aboard. CBS NewsLC “Search and rescue operations are underway and I am praying for everyone who was on board” Read at CBS News ↗ New York PostR “LA County Fire, Sheriff, Coast Guard, and Avalon Fire are on the scene” Read at New York Post ↗ Flight tracking showed the helicopter had flown from Oceanside in San Diego County, landing on the island at 7:04 p.m. CBS gave a 6:40 p.m. departure. CBS NewsLC “taking off from Oceanside in San Diego County at 6:40 p.m. and landing on Catalina Island at 7:04 p.m.” Read at CBS News ↗ New York PostR “took off from Oceanside in San Diego County and landed on the island at 7:04 p.m.” Read at New York Post ↗ The cause is not known. LA County Fire said the flight plan was unclear, and a REACH spokesperson said the company could not give further information. Hindustan TimesN “A cause for the crash is not known at this time.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ CBS NewsLC “A Reach spokesperson said they are aware of the incident but could not provide further information.” Read at CBS News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Straight breaking-news report centred on official statements from fire, sheriff and the county supervisor.
- Emphasis
- Where patients were taken, that the fifth person was still missing at 9:40 p.m., and REACH's statement.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Leaves out the flight-tracking details of the crash itself, the Pebbly Beach location and the Coast Guard involvement.
- For example
-
“Rescue crews said the fifth person was still missing as of 9:40 p.m.” — CBS News
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Live-update explainer combining official statements, other outlets' reports and social media, with an unverified caveat.
- Emphasis
- Condition of the victims, the flight path shared online and public reaction.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the Pebbly Beach location, the sheriff's hospital transport reports or the earlier flight from Oceanside.
- Charged language
- “Chilling audio”
- For example
-
“However, this information remains unverified.” — Hindustan Times
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Concise breaking-news report built on flight-tracking data and officials' statements.
- Emphasis
- Precise timeline, location near Pebbly Beach, rescue details and the earlier flight from Oceanside.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Leaves out the unverified claims about cardiac arrest, a missing person and the later hospital transports.
- For example
-
“Its signal disappeared eight seconds after takeoff, according to Squawk.” — New York Post
What every side reports
- A helicopter crashed into the ocean off Catalina Island on the evening of 30 September.
- Five people were reported aboard.
- LA County Fire dispatched helicopters and divers at about 7:50 p.m.
- LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn said search and rescue was underway.
- The cause is not known.
Where accounts differ
-
How many of the five were rescued and whether anyone was missing
- Left
- Two taken to Catalina hospital, two to UCLA; fifth person still missing as of 9:40 p.m.
- Centre
- Three rescued by boat and two spotted by the Coast Guard per CBS, but NBC said one remained missing; a social media post was unverified.
- Right
- Three rescued by boat crews and two spotted by the Coast Guard; none transported as of 8:40 p.m.
-
Five people were aboard the helicopter.
Reported- Reports 3
- CBS News, Hindustan Times, New York Post
-
LA County Fire dispatched helicopters and divers at about 7:50 p.m.
Reported- Reports 3
- CBS News, Hindustan Times, New York Post
-
Three of the five people were rescued by boat crews and two others were spotted by the US Coast Guard.
Mixed- Supports 1
- New York Post
- Disputes 1
- CBS News
- Reports 1
- Hindustan Times
Catalina Island place
The crash site off the island; coverage describes crews responding from the island and nearby waters.
“LA County Fire, Sheriff, Coast Guard, and Avalon Fire are on the scene” — Hindustan Times
Left1 article
-
Helicopter crashes off Catalina Island coast, rescue efforts underway
Neutral Official-source report on the response, hospital transports and a still-missing fifth person.
Centre1 article
-
Mixed Rolling update mixing official statements, secondary media reports and unverified social posts, with prayers and public reaction.
Right1 article
-
Helicopter crashes off Catalina Island with 5 people aboard
Neutral Factual breaking report attributing details to ADS-B data, NBC, CBS and LA County Fire.
- 1 Oct 05:08 First Hindustan TimesN Catalina helicopter crash: Latest update on passengers; what happened at Los Angeles county island? Rescue mission on
- 1 Oct 05:27 +19m New York PostR Helicopter crashes off Catalina Island with 5 people aboard
- 1 Oct 06:01 +53m CBS NewsLC Helicopter crashes off Catalina Island coast, rescue efforts underway
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.