Highway Travelers Rescue Nurse Following Medical Helicopter Crash.

On an October 2025 night, an Air Medical Services team had been returning from a medical transport when their helicopter began malfunctioning. The crew onboard included a nurse and two paramedics, one of whom piloted the aircraft. The helicopter steadily dropped, and the pilot steered it way from vehicles to complete an emergency crash landing on Highway 50 near Sacramento, California. 

Traffic halted as motorists nearby called 911. The impact ejected the medical team from the helicopter. The three victims remained conscious, but the wreckage had pinned the nurse. In an incredible act of heroism, more than a dozen drivers abandoned their vehicles to help lift the overturned helicopter and save her. 

The scene billowed with black smoke, but the helicopter did not ignite due to its crash-resistant fuel tank. 

The group of strangers used their collective strength to lift one side of the helicopter and free the nurse trapped underneath. First responders arrived on scene around the same time to offer emergency aid to the crash victims. 

"When it was coming down, I looked at it and said, 'This isn’t good,'" said bystander Kenneth De Crescenzo. "But when people were needed, they all stepped up." 

"It took every ounce of effort from about 15 people to push that helicopter," said the captain on scene.

All crash victims are recovering well after treatment at a local hospital. 

The Foundation for A Better Life and PassItOn believe that the strangers who stood shoulder-to -shoulder to offer help are heroes. Their action is a great example of the value of pulling together. Their action showcases the incredible good that can happen when a group of ordinary citizens pull together in strength and courage. Their collective quick thinking and bravery transformed a moment of crisis into a miraculous rescue. 

Watch video here: https://youtu.be/AOMfyh3oMSk