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AVALON, Calif. () — The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has identified the pilot and nurse killed in a helicopter crash off Catalina Island.
The pilot is 59-year-old Steven Robinson. The nurse onboard that medical helicopter was identified as 48-year-old Jessica DeVries.
Tributes are pouring in online for the 48-year-old nurse from Menifee.
“Jessica’s family remembers her as a true hero, a devoted mother and an extraordinary woman whose strength, compassion and kindness touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She loved her work and was passionate about helping others during their greatest need,” REACH Air Medical Services said in a statement. “Jessica’s unwavering spirit will live on in the countless lives she impacted.”
“Steve lived a life of service. Over the course of a distinguished aviation career, he served as a United States Marine Corps helicopter pilot, flew Marine One in support of a former United States President, and later continued his service as a medevac pilot with REACH. Every stage of his career was dedicated to serving others with skill, courage, and humility,” the statement said. “Steve’s family remembers him not only for his remarkable accomplishments, but for the person he was. They describe him as a devoted husband, father, family member and friend who made those around him feel valued, supported and cared for. While his loss is profound, his family is grateful for the example he set and the extraordinary impact he had on so many people.”
On Thursday, search and rescue teams located the body of a fifth person that was missing following that helicopter crash, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Family members identified the missing person as Catalina Romero. They told Eyewitness News that she lived and worked as a housekeeper on Catalina Island for over 20 years and was the mother of three boys.
Relatives and friends said that Romero took her lunch break during her work shift and became ill. They told Eyewitness News that she had an allergic reaction to something she ate and was taken to the emergency room on the island. That’s when they decided to send her over to the mainland.
L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed at a news conference Thursday afternoon that the missing person was a patient being transported to the mainland for treatment.
“She’s my aunt. Right now we’re waiting to recover her body and eventually get some closure for the whole entire family right now,” said Maria Tamayo. “She was just a loving and caring mother.”
A GoFundMe page was set up for Romero to help with her funeral expenses.
Relatives also said Romero’s 20-year-old son went with her in the medical helicopter to help translate.
The crash and aftermath
The aircraft was carrying five people when it went down in the water off of Pebbly Beach around 7:50 p.m. Wednesday soon after takeoff, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Initial reports indicated that there were only three people on the aircraft.
“We have three people calling for help,” a first responder is heard saying in an audio recording of an emergency broadcast. “We do have survivors in the water.”
The L.A. County Fire Department later confirmed that two people died, two were hospitalized and a fifth person was missing.
Family identified the missing person in a deadly helicopter crash off Catalina Island as a longtime housekeeper who lived on the island.
AIR7 flew over Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center where at least one of the victims was seen being wheeled off a helicopter.
“Two of those people were last reported (as being) in stable condition, at a higher level of care,” Cpt. Stacey Crecy of the U.S. Coast Guard, speaking to reporters at an early morning news conference, said of the survivors.
A memorial service was held Thursday on Catalina Island near the crash site to mourn and pray for those involved in the crash.
Urgent search and investigation
Search operations continued through the night for the missing person.
Capt. Crecy told reporters at Thursday afternoon’s news conference that the search had covered over 130 sq. nautical miles up to that point, with approximately 20 hours of continuous searching for the missing person, and they’ve had ideal search conditions throughout.
Search and rescue boats were seen on the water early Thursday afternoon. Crecy said teams extended their search.
Hours after the crash, REACH Air Medical Services confirmed that one of their helicopters was involved in the incident.
L.A. County and U.S. Coast Guard officials provide an update on a deadly helicopter crash off Catalina Island
“We are aware of an incident involving a REACH Air Medical Services helicopter. At this time, we are gathering information and coordinating with emergency responders and authorities. We are unable to provide additional details at this stage and will share more information when it becomes available. Our immediate concern is for the well-being of those involved.,” said a spokesperson for the company.
The L.A. County Fire on-scene lifeguard dive rescue team located the helicopter wreckage under 218 feet of water using a remotely-operated vehicle, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at Thursday’s news conference — adding that rescue boats arrived within three minutes of them receiving the emergency call.
Sheriff Robert Luna said that sheriff’s personnel assisted with the recovery and preservation of debris for federal investigators.
Rescue teams on Thursday continued to search for a missing person after a medical helicopter crashed into the waters near Avalon on Catalina Island.
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.
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