SHOCKING new footage shows the heart-stopping moment a medical helicopter crashed in the middle of a major highway.
The minute-long dashcam video captured the helicopter crash, which critically injured three people on board, going up in smoke.
Dramatic new footage shows the moment a helicopter crashedTikTok/KCalNews
The helicopter crashed in the middle of Highway 50 in Sacramento, CaliforniaTikTok/KCalNews
Three people were critically injuredAlamy
In the video obtained by KCAL news, the helicopter could be seen flying on the right of the highway.
Suddenly the helicopter drops to the ground, and flips over on its side, landing in the middle of the three-lane highway.
Drivers immediately pull over to the right of the road and frantically run out of their vehicles.
To the left, the aircraft is flipped on its side as clouds of black smoke billow out.
One driver could be seen sprinting from his car, trying to escape the crash.
Larger clouds of smoke continue to fill Highway 50 in Sacramento, California.
Slowly, other drivers get out of their cars to witness what just happened.
In less than one minute, undercovered police cars arrive at the accident.
Towards the end of the video, three people are seen walking towards the helicopter crash.
The crash happened just after 7 pm on October 6 and closed down the highway until 1:20 am.
The three people on board the REACH Air Medical Services H130 included pilot Chad Millward, paramedic Margaret Davis, and nurse Susan Smith, NBC affiliate KCRA reported.
Millward and Davis are both in critical yet stable condition.
Davis’ family said she was in good spirits and receiving “incredible” care at UC Davis Medical Center.
Smith, however, is in critical and unstable condition.
The footage shows the aircraft falling from the skyTikTok/KCalNews
The footage shows bystanders rushing to help the victimsTikTok/KCalNews
The nurse’s friend, Mary Beaver, described her as a giving person, saying: “She’s just one of those exceptional people who’s out there using her, you know, her intelligence in that to help people.
“But just that type of person who will go over there on her own expense and help those people.”
Smith’s pastor, Travis Osborne, asked for prayers for the nurse.
“We are just praying for a miracle. We know God hears our prayers, and it’s dire. You know, she’s in a dire situation,” said Osborne.
The cause of the crash is still being investigated; however, Millward has received praise for his work as a pilot.
“Millward demonstrated courage and selflessness,” REACH said in a statement.
Millward previously worked for the California Highway Patrol for 28 years, during which he earned the Governor’s Public Safety Medal of Valor for his work on a rescue mission during the 2017 Atlas Fire.
“His service and commitment to protecting others serve as a testament to the highest ideals of this Department,” CHP said in a statement.
“We are profoundly grateful to the first responders and good Samaritans who rushed to render aid immediately following the crash.
“Their quick and compassionate actions embody the very best of our community.”
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