Helicopter crashes into pedestrian bridge in Huntington beach

Authorities in Huntington Beach, California, are investigating a helicopter crash that occurred on Saturday afternoon, leaving five people injured, including three pedestrians.

According to a statement from the City of Huntington Beach, the aircraft went down around 2 p.m. on a pedestrian bridge in the beach parking lot between Twin Dolphins Drive and Beach Boulevard, directly across from several hotels along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a series of loud “pops” before the helicopter plummeted from the sky. Videos circulating online captured the aftermath, showing the wreckage lodged among trees near the Hyatt Regency Hotel, as firefighters and bystanders rushed to help.

“We were at the beach catching some waves when we suddenly heard this loud ‘pop, pop,’ and turned around to see the helicopter come crashing down,” one witness recounted. “It was terrifying — people were screaming and running.”

Authorities confirmed that two occupants of the helicopter were rescued from the mangled aircraft and taken to a local hospital. Their conditions remain unknown. Three pedestrians on the bridge also sustained injuries and were transported for medical care.

The beach area was particularly crowded at the time due to the Cars N’ Copters event — a popular annual show featuring exotic cars and aircraft displays. City officials confirmed that the helicopter involved in the crash was scheduled to participate in the event. Despite the incident, organizers stated that the event will continue on Sunday as planned.

“This could have been far worse,” another witness told local media. “There were hundreds of people nearby. The fact that more weren’t hurt is a miracle.”

Emergency responders, including the Huntington Beach Fire Department and Police Department, quickly secured the scene and began clearing debris from the bridge. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have both been notified and will conduct a full investigation into the cause of the crash.

However, both agencies indicated through automated responses that, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, responses to inquiries may be delayed.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area while cleanup and investigation efforts continue. As of Saturday evening, crews were working to safely remove the helicopter wreckage and assess potential structural damage to the bridge.

Residents and visitors praised the swift action of first responders, who managed to extract victims from the wreckage within minutes of the crash.

The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are expected to release further updates once preliminary findings are available.