Authorities have recovered the body of the fifth victim of a medical helicopter crash near Catalina Island in California. The 45-year-old woman was being transported to the mainland after suffering an allergic reaction when the helicopter crashed into the water shortly after takeoff Wednesday night. Five people were aboard the helicopter at the time of the crash. Two other people were killed, while two survivors were hospitalized. The woman’s 24-year-old son, a nurse, was also aboard the aircraft. A 49-year-old paramedic and the helicopter’s pilot were also among those on board. The nurse and the pilot died in the crash. The paramedic survived and was hospitalized along with the woman’s son. The helicopter was operated by REACH Air Medical Services. Authorities have not yet released additional details about what caused the crash. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft and other evidence as they work to determine what happened. Search crews recovered the woman’s body after an extensive search of the surrounding waters.
