A helicopter accident at a popular California beach has resulted in five individuals requiring hospital treatment.
The aircraft lost control and plummeted onto Huntington Beach on Saturday afternoon, according to emergency services.
The incident took place shortly after 2pm local time, close to where Pacific Coast Highway meets Huntington Street, fire department officials confirmed.
The crash site was near residential flats along the beachfront.
The crash site was near residential flats along the beachfront
|GETTY
The accident prompted a significant emergency response at the busy coastal location, where numerous members of the public witnessed the dramatic events unfold.
Emergency responders transported all five casualties to medical facilities for treatment.
Footage captured by witnesses shows the aircraft hovering beside residential buildings before it suddenly began rotating uncontrollably.
The helicopter entered a clockwise spin whilst airborne, then rapidly descended towards the beach perimeter.
The helicopter entered a clockwise spin whilst airborne, then rapidly descended towards the beach perimeter
|GETTY
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A helicopter accident at a popular California beach has resulted in five individuals requiring hospital treatment
|REUTERS
The aircraft ultimately collided with a cluster of palm trees, becoming trapped between the vegetation and a stairway adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway.
Multiple recordings posted on social media documented the terrifying sequence of events, with holidaymakers and residents watching in shock as the helicopter spiralled downwards.
The crash occurred in full view of crowds enjoying the popular Southern California beach on what had been an ordinary Saturday afternoon.
The two individuals aboard the helicopter were successfully extracted from the damaged aircraft by rescue teams.
The aircraft lost control and plummeted onto Huntington Beach on Saturday afternoon
|REUTERS
Additionally, three people on the ground sustained injuries during the incident.
Huntington Beach Fire Department personnel confirmed that all five injured parties received immediate medical attention.
The casualties comprised both helicopter occupants and pedestrians who were in the vicinity when the aircraft came down.
Shocked onlookers could be heard exclaiming "oh no, oh my god" as they watched the helicopter plunge towards the ground, according to video recordings.
The dramatic footage captured witnesses crying out in alarm as the situation unfolded before them.
The dramatic footage captured witnesses crying out in alarm as the situation unfolded before them
|GETTY
Debris from the crash was pictured on the road.
An investigation into the course of the crash is ongoing.
Matt Kubota, Huntington Beach Fire Department battalion chief, said: "Today around 2pm, Huntington Beach Fire and PD and Marine Safety responded to a reported helicopter crash between Beach Boulevard and Twin Dolphin.
"Units arrived on scene. We found one helicopter up against the bridge. Five individuals were transported to local hospitals in unknown condition."
He added: "We also want to say that the five people that were transported to the hospital, they are in an unknown condition right now, but as far as we know, there has been no further changes in those conditions."
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