Medical Helicopter With 3 People Onboard Crashes on California Highway – Video & Dispatch Audio Released

Newly released audio captures the frantic moments after a medical helicopter slammed into a California highway, triggering a desperate rescue effort as flames erupted and traffic came to a standstill.

A medical helicopter carrying three people crashed onto a busy California freeway on Monday evening, leaving a woman trapped under the wreckage and sparking a dramatic rescue captured in dispatch audio.

The chopper went down on U.S. Highway 50 in Sacramento around 7:00 p.m. local time on October 6, 2025, shortly after dropping off a patient at UC Davis Medical Center. No patients were onboard at the time of the crash, which ignited a fire on the highway.

TMZ obtained the 911 call from the scene, and in the audio, dispatchers can be heard confirming that someone was pinned beneath the aircraft. They called for a tow truck to help rescue her.

Before emergency crews could arrive, Sacramento Fire Captain Peter Vandersluis, who had been responding to a nearby motorcycle crash, drove against traffic and reached the scene within minutes. By the time he arrived, several drivers were already out of their vehicles trying to help.

Vandersluis quickly took control, forming an impromptu rescue team of about 15 bystanders who worked together to lift the wreckage off the trapped paramedic.

"Once I heard the woman groan, I made the decision to essentially yell out and get the bystanders to help lift the helicopter off of her," he said.

He explained that the group followed his commands without hesitation. "Out of instinct, people on the freeway were ready to help and did not hesitate," Vandersluis revealed. "They followed my exact commands, and we were able to lift up the wreckage with ease."

As the group worked to free the paramedic, they realized she was trapped by her seatbelt. A firefighter crawled under the wreckage, cut her free, and helped pull her out. The bystanders held the helicopter up for about 30 seconds while the rescue took place.

The paramedic, later identified as Suzie Smith, was pulled from the wreckage and rushed to the hospital in critical condition, along with a nurse and the pilot.

Another bystander, Chad Montgomery, was stuck in traffic with his wife when he noticed the helicopter descending erratically.

"The landing gear under the helicopter itself was just shaking, like rattling in the air," Montgomery shared. "So I knew something was off as it was approaching very low. I was screaming to my wife, I go, 'This thing's coming down.'"

Aimee Braddock was among dozens of others who rushed to the scene to assist. "It just plummeted out of the sky," said Braddock. "It hit hard."

She noticed bystanders rushing to lify the wreckage of Smith, and decided to do the same. They held on for what Braddock described to be "several minutes" until it was safe to put the helicopter back down.

One woman who had been driving on the freeway captured video of the crash landing, which showed the helicopter coming down just inches away—on the opposite side of the highway. Smoke erupted as it hit the ground, but firefighters later confirmed that all three people onboard survived.

Vandersluis later reflected on the rare sight of civilians helping lead a rescue operation. He had never seen a group of bystanders act so quickly and decisively. He added that given his experience leading teams in high-stakes situations, he said he was able to direct the volunteers effectively.

Meanwhile, Smith's family released a public statement asking people to pray for her and the rest of the crew. "Those who know Susie know that she is a tough and strong woman. Additionally, she has an amazing faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If anyone can overcome these challenges, it's Sue," the family said.

They also thanked first responders and the bystanders who jumped into action without hesitation.

No bystanders were injured in the crash.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).