Helicopter Twirls Uncontrollably into Palm Trees at Frequented Southern California Shoreline

A helicopter flying above a popular southern California shoreline abruptly began spiraling out of control, eventually losing altitude and plunging into a row of palm groves as spectators looked on.

Recordings shared on social media depict the helicopter beginning to twirl above the shoreline then falling towards the border of the coast, where it ends up lodged among palms and a staircase adjacent to the coastal road.

Emergency Response Information

Local firefighters reported five individuals were transported to a medical facility comprising two individuals who were in the chopper and were “extracted safely from the crash site” subsequent to the incident on Saturday.

Three individuals on the road were injured. Details on their injuries were not yet released.

The cause of the crash was not immediately released.

Related Gathering

The department indicated the aircraft was linked to an annual “Cars and Copters” fundraising event scheduled for Sunday.