Five people taken to hospital after crash at Huntington Beach in front of beachgoers
Police at the scene at Huntington Beach after a helicopter crashed into palm trees on Saturday. Photograph: Michael Heiman/Getty Images
A helicopter flying above a popular southern California beach suddenly began spiralling out of control, eventually losing altitude and crashing into a row of palm trees as beachgoers looked on.
Videos posted online show the aircraft starting to spin above Huntington Beach then plunging towards the edge of the beach, where it becomes wedged between palms and a staircase near the Pacific Coast highway.
The Huntington Beach fire department said five people were taken to hospital including two who were in the helicopter and were “safely pulled from the wreckage” after the crash on Saturday.
The wreckage of the helicopter. Photograph: Michael Heiman/Getty Images
Three people on the street were injured. Details on their injuries were not immediately available.
The cause of the crash was not immediately released.
The department said the helicopter was associated with an annual “Cars N Copters” fundraising event planned for Sunday.
🧩 FAQ
1. Where did the Huntington Beach helicopter crash occur?
The crash happened near the edge of Huntington Beach, California, where the helicopter struck a row of palm trees and a staircase close to the Pacific Coast Highway.
2. How many people were injured in the Huntington Beach helicopter crash?
Five people were taken to the hospital — two from inside the helicopter and three from the street. The condition of the injured has not yet been confirmed.
3. What event was the helicopter associated with?
Authorities said the helicopter was linked to the annual “Cars N Copters” fundraising event scheduled to take place on Sunday in Huntington Beach.