2 dead, 2 injured, 1 missing after Catalina Island helicopter crash, tell me about this news today

A medical evacuation helicopter crashed into the Pacific Ocean shortly after takeoff from Catalina Island off Southern California, leaving two people dead, two hospitalized, and one missing.

Key details of the incident:

• The Aircraft: The helicopter, identified as a Eurocopter EC 135 P2 operated by REACH Air Medical Services, was transporting a female patient back to the mainland. Five people were on board in total.

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• The Crash: The aircraft went down into the ocean shortly before 8:00 PM on Wednesday off the coast of Avalon/Catalina Island.

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• Casualties and Rescues: First responders from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, and local emergency agencies pulled four people from the water. Two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, and two survivors were transported to mainland trauma centers in stable condition.

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• Ongoing Search: Rescue crews have been conducting extensive air and marine search operations for the fifth personbelieved to be the patient aboard the aircraft. Dive teams located the submerged wreckage resting around 220 to 240 feet below the surface.

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• Investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), alongside the Federal Aviation Administration and Coast Guard, is leading the investigation into what caused the crash.