Just moments after a medical helicopter made an emergency landing on a California highway, Sacramento Fire Capt. Peter Vandersluis found himself leading a spontaneous group of around 15 bystanders to lift the debris off a trapped paramedic.
As Vandersluis commanded “lift,” they hoisted the aircraft. When he instructed “hold,” they maintained their grip.
“Pure instinct kicked in — the helpers were ready and quick to follow my directions,” Vandersluis shared with The Associated Press on Tuesday. “We managed to elevate it effortlessly.”
The paramedic, along with a nurse and the pilot, was transported to hospitals in critical condition following the helicopter’s crash on State Route 50, located east of downtown Sacramento.
The aircraft had just departed from a hospital after dropping off a patient when it encountered an “in-air emergency” and went down shortly after 7 p.m. Details on the current conditions of the three individuals were not available as of Tuesday.
Vandersluis was overseeing the first fire truck on the scene and recognized that waiting for additional rescue units would take too long.
“Upon hearing the woman groan, I knew it was time to rally the bystanders to lift the helicopter off her,” he explained.
A firefighter attempted to pull the paramedic free, only to discover that she was pinned by her seatbelt. He crawled beneath, cut the seatbelt, and successfully rescued her.
The makeshift team managed to elevate the aircraft in about 30 seconds. Less than a minute had elapsed by the time the firefighter freed the paramedic.
Once the paramedic was safely out, the group gently lowered the helicopter back to the ground.
Vandersluis remarked that he had never headed a civilian response team in such an urgent situation before. However, he credited his role in guiding his colleagues every day, along with nearly two decades of firefighting experience, for equipping him with the necessary skills.
His engine crew was en route to assist with a nearby motorcycle accident in the westbound lanes when the helicopter crashed. They quickly maneuvered against traffic to reach the scene within minutes.
Some motorists had already exited their vehicles to assist by the time firefighters arrived.
Aimee Braddock was one of those who pitched in. She recounted to KCRA-TV that she rushed towards the crash site upon witnessing the helicopter descend rapidly.
“Seeing everyone trying to help lift the helicopter for the first responders, I jumped in line and did whatever I could,” Braddock shared. “We held it up for several minutes, allowing the responders to free the injured person.”
Fire officials stated there was no confirmation of a fire aboard the helicopter. While white smoke was seen emanating from the aircraft during the crash, Vandersluis clarified that it was released by the onboard fire suppression system.
Remarkably, no one on the highway was hurt, something Capt. Justin Sylvia of the Sacramento Fire Department described as “mind-blowing,” given the helicopter’s landing in the highway’s middle.
“Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter descend rapidly, prompting traffic to slow down,” Sylvia noted.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have initiated investigations into the crash involving the Airbus EC-130 T2.
The helicopter was a REACH Air Medical unit, per the company’s statement, which expressed their thoughts and prayers for everyone impacted.
“We are currently working to ascertain details of this incident and the conditions of the REACH staff, all of whom were taken to local hospitals,” the company announced.
Sacramento City Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan was accompanying law enforcement during the response to the crash and noted visible smoke emanating from the downed helicopter.
“It’s a solemn and sobering experience. Being up in the air with sheriff pilots, who routinely do this job, makes you appreciate each day and be thankful for our officers and medical pilots,” she remarked.
