Nurse killed in Catalina Island medical helicopter crash remembered as hero – NBC Los Angeles

Nurse killed in Catalina Island medical helicopter crash remembered as hero  NBC Los Angeles

One of three people killed in a medical helicopter crash off Santa Catalina Island was identified as 48-year-old Jessica Devries. Jessica deVries was among the three killed in the medical helicopter crash. Christian Cázares reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. REACH Air Medical Services identified its three crew members who were aboard the medical helicopter that crashed off Santa Catalina Island earlier this week. The two deceased crew members were identified as pilot Steven "Steve" Robinson and flight nurse Jessica deVries. The member injured was identified as flight nurse Brad Sparks. "REACH Air Medical Services continues to mourn the lives lost and support the families, friends and colleagues affected by the tragic helicopter accident that occurred Sept.

30 off Catalina Island," the provider said in an Instagram post sharing the identities and photos of the victims. Five people were aboard the REACH Air Medical Services helicopter — identified by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Eurocopter EC135 — that went down in water near the helipad at Pebbly Beach, about a mile from Avalon, just after 7:50 p.m. Wednesday, according to the LA County Fire Department. It's unclear what caused the helicopter to crash shortly after takeoff. The medical helicopter team was airlifting a woman to the mainland who suffered an allergic reaction