A nurse who dedicated more than 20 years to caring for others was among three people killed when a medical helicopter crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Catalina Island.
Jessica Devries, 48, was identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner as one of the victims in the Sept. 30 crash. The REACH Air Medical Services helicopter went down near the Pebbly Beach helipad, NBC Los Angeles reported.
Devries was one of five people aboard the aircraft when the crash was reported shortly after 7:50 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Images shared online showed Devries smiling with friends and colleagues, reflecting the enthusiasm she brought to her work caring for patients.
Following news of her death, friends and former co-workers flooded social media with tributes describing her as compassionate, joyful and deeply devoted to those around her.
“Wow I just found out the nurse in the helicopter was one of my co-workers at RCRMC. County Hospital in Moreno Valley,” one person wrote.
“She was such a happy person, a good soul. So sorry she has passed. Jessica Devires R. N. My condolences to her son and family.”
“My heart is so heavy hearing about this tragic loss. I had the privilege of being a friend of Jessica’s, she was truly a wonderful person and I feel fortunate that we crossed paths,” another person wrote.
“Knowing how much of her life was devoted to helping others makes this loss especially heartbreaking. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with her family, friends, her REACH family, and everyone who loved and worked alongside her.”
Two other people died in the crash, while two survived with injuries. The helicopter had been transporting 45-year-old Catalina Hernandez, who was experiencing an allergic reaction after eating something, her family said.
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Hernandez was also killed. Police divers recovered her body from the Pacific Ocean on Friday, officials said.
Her son was aboard the helicopter and survived with injuries. The other injured passenger was a male medic, and both were being treated at a hospital, NBC reported.
A male pilot was also killed. Authorities have not yet released his name.
The Oceanside police and fire departments, where the medical crew was based, released a statement offering condolences to the victims’ families.
“For more than a decade, REACH 16 has been based at the Oceanside Fire Department Training Center,” the departments said in a social media post.
“While no Oceanside Fire or Police personnel were aboard the aircraft, REACH crews have shared our facilities, trained alongside our first responders, and served communities throughout our region for years. They are part of our public safety family, and this loss is felt deeply here in Oceanside.”
“Our hearts are with everyone affected by this tragedy and with the entire REACH community during this incredibly difficult time. We stand with the REACH family and all those impacted,” the statement concluded.
A memorial service was held on Catalina Island to remember the victims.
Investigators have not determined what caused the helicopter to crash. The incident remains under investigation.
The Catalina Island crash occurred only weeks after a news helicopter went down in Chatsworth while covering a bus collision, killing three people, including a reporter, a pilot and a bystander.