By Jake Goodrick
The Sacramento Bee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — All three people aboard the medevac helicopter that crashed Monday night onto the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 in East Sacramento on Monday night have been identified and remain hospitalized in critical condition.
Reach Air Medical Services, which operated the flight, on Wednesday identified two of the crew members as pilot Chad Millward, 60, and paramedic Margaret “DeDe” Davis, 66. They are both in critical but stable condition, according to a statement from the medevac company.
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Susan “Suzie” Smith, 67, a nurse also aboard the flight, was identified by family Tuesday. Her condition is critical and remains unstable, according to the company’s statement.
The three crew members departed UC Davis Medical Center in a medical helicopter shortly after 7 p.m. Monday, headed for Redding. Their flight ended less than a minute later with a crash landing the freeway, about a quarter-mile from the hospital’s rooftop.
No patients were aboard and the three crew members were the only ones injured from the crash, which narrowly avoided highway traffic. Motorists who witnessed the crash helped firefighters extricate the victims from the damaged helicopter in the moments after it plummeted to the roadway.
“On behalf of our crew, their families and Reach, we extend heartfelt thanks to the bystanders who helped during their rescue,” the company statement said. “We deeply appreciate those who became first responders by supporting our flight crews during their time of need and showed exceptional courage during this crucial moment.”
All three crew members were taken to UC Davis Medical Center for treatment within about 20 minutes of the crash, authorities said at the time.
The cause of the crash is unknown and remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.
Millward is a resident of Palo Cedro and Davis resides in Meridian , both near Redding where the helicopter known as Reach 5 was based.
Smith, a longtime nurse also from Palo Cedro, suffered multiple serious injuries from the crash, according to a statement from her family. She became a nurse at 22 and has dedicated parts of her life to providing missionary medical work in Latin America.
“Those who know Susie know that she is a tough and strong woman,” the statement said. “Additionally, she has an amazing faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If anyone can overcome these challenges, it’s Sue.”
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