Officials said Friday that rescuers had recovered the final victim from Wednesday’s medical helicopter crash in the waters off Catalina Island.
Police divers located the body of 45-year-old Catalina Hernandez, a mother who had been aboard the aircraft as a patient experiencing a severe allergic reaction. Her family said she had eaten something that triggered the reaction before being transported by helicopter.
Hernandez was the last of five people aboard the aircraft to remain missing. The helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff for reasons that have not yet been determined. Two other people died, while two survivors are being treated in a hospital.
According to the Coast Guard, search teams covered more than 156 square miles over a 23-hour operation before finding Hernandez’s body.
Hernandez’s 20-year-old son was traveling with her to assist with translation. He survived the crash, as did a medic aboard the helicopter. The other fatalities were identified as the male pilot and a female nurse.
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Hernandez is the only victim publicly identified by name so far.
REACH Air Medical Services, the company operating the medical helicopter, issued a statement to The California Post on Thursday expressing grief over the tragedy.
“Today, the entire REACH family is grieving. This has been an incredibly difficult and emotional time for our organization, and our hearts are with everyone affected by this tragedy,” the company said, confirming that two crew members were killed.
“Our crews dedicate themselves to helping people on what are often the worst days of their lives. They answer the call at all hours to provide critical care to patients and support for families in moments of crisis. While many questions remain, our commitment”
A memorial service took place on Catalina Island to remember those who died in the medical helicopter crash.
The Catalina Island crash occurred only weeks after a news helicopter went down in Chatsworth while covering a bus collision. That incident killed three people: a bystander, a reporter and the pilot.
