Three people were critically injured after a helicopter delivering air medical services crashed on Sacramento’s Highway 50, officials say.

The helicopter, run by Reach Air Medical Services, crashed shortly after 7pm on the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 near Howe Avenue, the Sacramento Fire Department said.

The Eastbound Highway 50 has been fully closed at 59th Street following the crash.

Three crew members who were on board were taken to hospitals with critical injuries, Captain Justin Sylvia of Sacramento Fire said.

One crew member was found trapped under the helicopter, and two others were located in the roadway when the first unit of responders arrived from the fire department, he said.

The aircraft had to be lifted with the help of a fire captain and bystanders to remove the trapped crew member.

Pictures showed the red helicopter lying on its side with debris strewn on the highway as responders worked on the scene. Images of Highway 50 showed a long line of cars backed up just behind the crashed helicopter.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty said there has been a “harrowing helicopter crash” on 50 eastbound west of 59th Street and that survivors are being treated at local hospitals.

He said about 15 bystanders helped the Sacramento fire department before more units arrived at the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

California Highway Patrol said Highway 99 northbound to Highway 50 eastbound, and Highway 51 southbound to Highway 50 eastbound have also been shut indefinitely.

A spokesperson for the Valley Division of California Highway Patrol said residents should expect delays on the highway and use alternate routes. "We ask the public to avoid the area and allow emergency crews to work safely," he said.

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