Helicopter crashes after spiralling out of control in California, 5 injured

A helicopter lost control and crashed into a pedestrian bridge near a popular California beach. Photo / flicksbyspec

Five people have been injured after a helicopter spun and crashed near a popular California beach.

Footage from the incident shows the helicopter losing control and spinning before crashing into the outdoor steps of a pedestrian bridge and multiple palm trees.

Pieces of debris are seen flying off the chopper in the footage.

Close up video of the helicopter crash in Huntington Beach, California today! pic.twitter.com/hcYsFG9QtX

— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) October 12, 2025

Photos posted to social media showed the helicopter wedged between the stairs and a row of palm trees.

CBS News reported five people, including a child, were hospitalised after the incident, which took place in the city of Huntington Beach around 2pm on Saturday local time (10am Sunday NZT).

City officials told the outlet that two occupants of the helicopter were safely pulled from the wreckage, while three pedestrians were also injured in the crash.

All were hospitalised in an unknown condition.

An aerial view from the outlet showed debris from the chopper scattered across the beach access carpark.

It also showed that the tail of the helicopter had broken off in the crash.

Accident witness Kevin Bullat told CBS News, “You can hear this odd sound that didn’t sound right”.

“I looked out and I see the helicopter spiralling out of control. ... My friend saw shrapnel, or just debris, catapulting across PCH [Pacific Coast Highway].”

According to the outlet, a helicopter landing party was being hosted nearby to where the accident took place.