Bystanders Jumped Into Ocean To Save Victims Of Deadly Catalina Helicopter Crash

AVALON, CA — Ordinary people jumped into the ocean off Catalina Island to help rescue victims of a medical helicopter crash that killed three people. As new details emerge about the frantic response to the disaster, authorities identified the crash victims.

"Random citizens" were among those who entered the water Wednesday night and tried to save the five people aboard the REACH Air Medical Services helicopter, Los Angeles County Lifeguard Battalion Chief AJ Lester told KTLA.

Baywatch Avalon Capt. Brian Lanich and Ocean Lifeguard Specialist Chris Maloney, both with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, pulled the two survivors to shore, according to KTLA. Crews from Baywatch Isthmus in Two Harbors, Avalon Fire and harbor personnel also worked to save the helicopter's pilot and flight nurse, who were in cardiac arrest.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has identified the nurse as 48-year-old Jessica Devries, CBS News reported. Authorities had not publicly identified the pilot by name as of Friday morning. The third person killed was 45-year-old Avalon resident Catalina Hernandez, whose body was recovered from the submerged helicopter Thursday evening, ending a 23-hour search.

Hernandez was being flown from Catalina to the mainland for medical treatment after suffering an allergic reaction to shrimp. Her son accompanied her aboard the helicopter and survived the crash. Patch reported Thursday that Hernandez's son was recovering at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

'Random Citizens' Joined Rescue

The helicopter crashed shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday after taking off from the Pebbly Beach heliport near Avalon. Witnesses and first responders at the heliport watched the aircraft go down moments after takeoff, according to KTLA.

The helicopter was carrying Hernandez, her son, Devries, a flight paramedic and the pilot. Lanich and Maloney pulled the two survivors from the water. Hernandez's son and the paramedic were later transported to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

The paramedic suffered a broken femur, while Hernandez's son was being monitored by doctors, according to KTLA. The initial rescue rapidly expanded into a multi-agency search involving Los Angeles County firefighters and lifeguards, the Sheriff's Department, Avalon Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard.

Hernandez Recovered After 23-Hour Search

Divers with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department recovered Hernandez's body from the helicopter wreckage Thursday evening, ending an extensive search of the waters around Catalina. The Coast Guard said crews searched more than 156 square miles over 23 hours, according to The Associated Press.

A remotely operated vehicle located the helicopter on the ocean floor at a depth of 218 feet, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone told reporters. Underwater cameras showed the aircraft largely intact, with Hernandez still inside, according to KTLA.

The recovery brought the final death toll to three, with two survivors. REACH Air Medical Services said two of its crew members were killed and a third was recovering in a hospital.

"In the days ahead, our focus will remain on caring for our people, supporting their families and honoring the lives and service of those we have lost," the company said in a statement, according to the AP.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn called the crash "a terrible loss" for Catalina and Los Angeles County.

"The people onboard this helicopter dedicated their careers to saving lives," Hahn said. "They are heroes."

Investigation Continues

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash. The agency identified the aircraft as a Eurocopter EC-135-P2 and said the helicopter will be taken to a secure facility for further examination after it is recovered.

Flight-tracking data showed the helicopter arriving on Catalina shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday following a roughly 24-minute flight from Oceanside, according to the AP. It crashed shortly after taking off again with Hernandez aboard for the flight to the mainland.

No cause of the crash had been announced as of Friday morning.

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