OCEANSIDE — Divers found the body of a missing person in the wreckage of a medical helicopter that departed Oceanside before crashing off Catalina Island on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to three, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard ended its search at 5:44 p.m. Thursday after Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department divers discovered a body matching the description of the missing person in the wreckage offshore Pebbly Beach.
Family members identified the missing patient as Catalina Hernandez, 45, of Avalon. The California Post first reported the recovery Friday morning.
Coast Guard and partner agencies searched more than 156 square miles for a combined 23 hours following the crash.
The helicopter went down shortly after taking off from Catalina Island en route to the mainland, according to the Coast Guard. Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft had departed the Oceanside Fire Department helipad at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday before arriving on the island.
Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach received a report of the crash from Los Angeles County Fire Department lifeguards at 7:50 p.m. Wednesday.
Four people were recovered from the water. Two were pronounced dead, and two were transferred to a hospital on the mainland, according to the Coast Guard. Los Angeles County fire officials said they airlifted the survivors to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
The pilot and a nurse were among those killed, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Their identities have not been released.
Hernandez’s family said she was being transported for treatment of an allergic reaction after eating shrimp. Her son accompanied her to help translate and survived with broken bones, according to the family. Another crew member also survived, a REACH Air Medical Services spokesperson said Thursday.
Coast Guard personnel diverted an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Ventura and coordinated the launch of a 45-foot response boat from Station Los Angeles-Long Beach to assist in the search.
“We are grateful for the professionalism, coordination and dedication of our Los Angeles County partners, whose efforts have been critical to maintaining a unified and effective response,” said Capt. Stacey Crecy, commander of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach.
“While this is a tragedy felt deeply by the families and community, I am reassured by the speed and determination with which our responders have come together. Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones during this difficult time.”
The response also included Coast Guard Air Station San Diego, the Coast Guard cutter Halibut, Los Angeles County fire and sheriff’s personnel, Los Angeles Port Police and Baywatch crews from Avalon, Cabrillo and Isthmus.
Oceanside Fire Chief Jessamyn Specht said Thursday that the medical helicopter crew had long-standing ties to the department. The aircraft had been based at the department’s training center for more than a decade.
“It’s a gut punch,” Specht said. “To hear it hit so close to home, it hurt.”
REACH confirmed that one of its helicopters was involved in the crash.
“At this time, we are gathering information and coordinating with emergency responders and authorities,” the company posted on Facebook Thursday morning. “Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones and colleagues affected by this tragedy. We are focused on supporting our team and everyone impacted during this incredibly difficult time. Out of respect for those involved and the ongoing response, we are unable to share additional details at this time.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
UPDATE: This story has been updated to include additional information from the Coast Guard.
