A helicopter has smashed into a highway in California, leaving at least three people with critical injuries.
According to the Sacramento Fire Department, the helicopter crashed onto the eastbound Highway 50, which runs east from Sacramento until the Nevada state line near Lake Tahoe.
Sacramento Fire confirmed that the Reach helicopter, which is used to provide air medical services, did not have a passenger on board.
PICTURED: The Sacramento helicopter crash, as it happened
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There was, however, a pilot, a doctor and a nurse aboard the helicopter.
Footage circulating on social media shows the moment of the crash, as captured by a driver.
In it, the helicopter appears to hit something before smashing down onto the road below.
Further video shows legions of emergency vehicles at the scene as smoke billows from the downed craft.
The crash involved a Reach medical aid helicopter
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Pictures from the crash site then show the upside down aircraft surrounded by debris.
Captain Justin Sylvia confirmed the three crew members on board were all taken to hospital with critical injuries.
He said that two of the crew members were in the roadway when emergency services arrived, while the other was trapped under the aircraft.
Authorities added that around 15 bystanders rushed to help the victims and pull them from the wreckage.
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Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty called the crash, which happened at around 7pm, "harrowing" in a social media post.
Sacramento City Councilmember Lisa Kaplan urged people to "stay off" the road, adding: "Tonight, I flew along with Sacramento Sheriff in their helicopter. Every day is not a given.
"We were one of the first to show up at the helicopter crash from above.
"It was sobering. I pray for all in the crash. Thank our officers and all whom pilot for their public service."
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed the full closure of Eastbound Highway 50 due to the crash.
GB News has approached the Federal Aviation Administration for more information.
However, due to the US Government shutdown, the FAA has said it will only be issuing "significant safety messaging".
The crash is currently under investigation, and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office has said it is helping the CHP.
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