Brief
Rescuers recover last victim of Catalina Island medical helicopter crash
The search ended after divers pulled the mother’s body from the Pacific, concluding the five‑person incident.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Police divers recovered the body of 45‑year‑old Catalina Hernandez, the last missing passenger from the medical helicopter that crashed off Catalina Island on Wednesday, officials said Friday.
What happened
The Reach Air Medical Services helicopter went down shortly after take‑off on Oct. 1, leaving five people aboard. Two occupants were found dead, two were hospitalized, and Hernandez remained missing until divers retrieved her from the Pacific after a 23‑hour, 156‑square‑mile search, according to the Coast Guard.
What the reports add
The New York Post noted that Hernandez was a patient suffering an allergic reaction, and her 20‑year‑old son was aboard to translate for her. The article also quoted Reach Air Medical Services, which expressed grief and pledged continued support for families.
What was said
Reach Air Medical Services said, “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 outlet reported.
Key facts
- Catalina Hernandez, 45, was the final missing person recovered from the crash. (nypost.com)
- The crash involved five people; two were dead, two hospitalized, and one missing. (nypost.com)
- Divers searched 156 square miles over 23 hours before locating Hernandez's body. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Tragic update in search for missing mother involved in Catalina Island helicopter crash”
