Five injured after helicopter crashes in busy Huntington Beach area
- Five individuals, including two from the helicopter and three from the street, sustained injuries due to a helicopter crash in Huntington Beach.
- The crash occurred shortly after 2 p.m. local time near a busy beach parking lot and resulted in police activity that blocked off part of Pacific Coast Highway.
- Authorities are investigating the incident while plans for related events in the area continue as scheduled.
On Saturday afternoon, a helicopter crash occurred in Huntington Beach, California, injuring five people in a busy oceanfront area. The incident took place just after 2 p.m. local time, near a parking lot off Pacific Coast Highway, between Beach Boulevard and Twin Dolphins Drive, as reported by local firefighters. Two people on board the helicopter were safely extracted from the wreckage, while three pedestrians sustained injuries. All five victims were promptly transported to hospitals; however, their medical conditions remain unknown. Witnesses to the crash shared dramatic accounts, with one individual capturing video footage showing the helicopter spinning uncontrollably before impacting palm trees and a pedestrian bridge. This footage was recorded as part of a TikTok video intended to document helicopter landings at an associated event scheduled for Sunday. Prior to the crash, there was an exclusive helicopter landing party organized by MD Helicopters at the Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge, which attracted attendees for a unique viewing experience of helicopter arrivals from above. As a result of the crash, police cordoned off Pacific Coast Highway between Huntington Street and Beach Boulevard around 3 p.m., initiating an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Local city officials indicated that the helicopter was linked to the upcoming Cars 'N Copters event. At the time of the incident, a large number of smaller helicopters were parked nearby at the beach lot where the crash occurred. Authorities have notified the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, but as of now, no cause for the crash has been established. Potential reasons for the accident might involve technical issues, as suggested by witness statements regarding a possible failure of the tail rotor. Eyewitness Kevin Bullat mentioned hearing odd sounds from the helicopter prior to the crash, heightening concerns about the aircraft's condition. Despite the alarming situation, the helicopter did not catch fire, although witnesses reported fuel leaking from the wreckage. The situation’s gravity has led the organizers of the helicopter landing party to express their concern and hopes for the victims’ recovery while maintaining their plans for the event scheduled for the following day, indicating that they are monitoring the situation closely.