SECONDS FROM DISASTER — Chaos erupted on a California freeway when a helicopter suddenly lost control and plunged from the sky, landing just inches from speeding cars.

Drivers slammed their brakes as shattered debris flew across lanes — and in the final moments before impact, terrified witnesses say they heard five chilling words screamed over the radio:

With 3 people rushed to the hospital and investigators probing what went wrong, this heart-stopping footage is something you need to see to believe.

Horror moment helicopter crashes onto a freeway just feet away from terrified drivers in California leaving 3 injured

A terrified witness said the crash ‘was a brush with death’

THIS is the terrifying moment a helicopter crashes onto a freeway just feet away from shocked drivers in California.

Three people on board are in a critical condition after the medical aircraft lost control before plunging towards the busy road and smashing into the ground.

Object on the ground with smoke and a green light.
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A helicopter has crashed onto a highway in CaliforniaCredit: ViralPress

Wreckage of a red medical helicopter on a highway.
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Emergency teams found the helicopter upside down on the roadCredit: Alamy

A helicopter flying at night with bright lights.
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Footage showed the chopper flying low above Highway 50 near Howe Avenue in Sacramento before it crashedCredit: ViralPress
Footage showed the chopper flying low above Highway 50 near Howe Avenue in Sacramento.

Within seconds it started plummeting towards the ground with huge plumes of smoke seen billowing across the highway as it smashed.

Pictures show the medical helicopter upside down in the middle of the road.

Smashed glass and debris can be seen strewn across the highway as firefighters and cops surround the wreckage.

“If it had crashed on the road there would have been multiple fatalities.”

A flight tracker showed the Airbus H-130 had left from the roof of UC Davis Medical Center just minutes before the crash.

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The Sacramento Fire Department and Federal Aviation Administration said the helicopter went down on the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 near Howe Avenue.

They added that it was a helicopter that provides air medical services.

REACH Air Medical Services later confirmed to ABC7 news that three of its crew were hurt in the crash.

Captain Justin Sylvia, from the Sacramento Fire Department, confirmed three people were “transported in critical condition” to local hospitals.

These included two females and a male made up of a pilot, nurse and paramedic.

No patient was on board at the time of the disaster.

Speaking at a press conference today Captain Sylvia added: “There was one victim that was trapped underneath the helicopter… [with] the help of just civilians that were standing around, they were able to lift part of that helicopter out and get that victim out.

“There’s a pretty large debris field around that at this point.

“The lucky portion for us, I’d say, is the fact that the helicopter did not catch on fire.”

A red medevac helicopter is split down the middle on a highway with debris scattered around, as a CHP investigator uses a flashlight to search.
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A cop inspects the wreckage of the helicopterCredit: Avalon.red

Traffic backed up on Highway 50 in Sacramento after a helicopter crashed.
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Highway 50 near 44th Street was left at a standstill after the crashCredit: Alamy