Helicopter Crash at Huntington Beach Injures Five: Dramatic Rescue from Palm Trees Near California Coast

Dramatic footage captured online shows a helicopter spinning uncontrollably before the accident.

A helicopter crash at California's Huntington Beach on Saturday afternoon resulted in injuries to five people. The aircraft became entangled in several palm trees near the Pacific Coast Highway after the devastating incident.

Emergency responders from both Huntington Beach Police and Fire Departments quickly arrived at the scene, located at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Huntington Street. Reports indicate two individuals were extracted from the helicopter, while three others sustained injuries on the ground. All victims were promptly transported to nearby medical facilities, though details about their medical conditions have not been disclosed.

Social media footage reveals the helicopter spinning sideways with an apparent rear rotor malfunction before its descent. The aircraft's fall was partially broken by a line of palm trees at the beach's edge. One tree snapped during impact and fell onto the helicopter, trapping it beneath the trunk. Emergency personnel and numerous onlookers quickly gathered at the crash site.

The impact caused the helicopter's tail to break off. The damaged aircraft became wedged between palm trees and the outdoor staircase of the pedestrian bridge that crosses over Pacific Coast Highway to the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa.

An eyewitness recounted to CBS News: "You can hear this odd sound that didn't sound right. I looked out and I see the helicopter spiralling out of control. My friend saw shrapnel, or just debris, catapulting across Pacific Coast Highway."

Authorities confirmed the helicopter was connected to the "Cars 'N Copters" charity event scheduled for Sunday. Investigators are still working to determine what caused the crash.