Aircraft Twirls Out of Control into Palm Trees at Frequented Southern California Beach

A helicopter soaring above a popular southern California beach abruptly started spinning uncontrollably, ultimately descending rapidly and smashing into a cluster of palm fronds as beachgoers looked on.

Footage uploaded on the internet show the chopper starting to spin near Huntington Beach then plunging towards the perimeter of the beach, where it becomes wedged between palm trees and a staircase adjacent to the Pacific Coast highway.

Emergency Response Information

The Huntington Beach fire department stated five individuals were rushed to the hospital involving two who were in the chopper and were “safely pulled from the wreckage” following the accident on Saturday.

Three individuals on the street were harmed. Details on their wounds were still under review.

What led to the incident was not yet disclosed.

Planned Function

Authorities indicated the helicopter was linked to an annual “Cars and Copters” benefit occasion set for the next day.