THIS is the terrifying moment a helicopter crashes onto a freeway just feet away from shocked drivers in California.
Three people on board are in a critical condition after the Airbus lost control before plunging towards the busy road and smashing into the ground.
A helicopter has crashed onto a California highway[/caption]
Emergency teams found the helicopter upside down on the road[/caption]
Footage showed the chopper flying low above Highway 50 near Howe Avenue in Sacramento.
Within seconds it started plummeting towards the ground with huge plumes of smoke seen billowing across the highway as it smashed.
Pictures from after the crash shows the medical helicopter upside down in the middle of the road.
Smashed glass and debris can be seen strewn across the highway as firefighters and cops surround the wreckage.
Motorist Davyd Bychkoviak was driving past just after 7pm local time (3am UK time) as the helicopter spiralled through the air.
Mr Bychkoviak said: “I’m still shaking. It was a brush with death.
“The helicopter crashed inches away from me. The dust kicked up into my face, and I could feel the wind of the propellers in the car.
“If it had crashed on the road there would have been multiple fatalities.”
The Sacramento Fire Department and Federal Aviation Administration said the helicopter went down on the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 near Howe Avenue.
They added that it was a helicopter that provides air medical services.
REACH Air Medical Services later confirmed to ABC7 news that three of its crew were hurt in the crash.
Highway 50 near 44th Street was left at a standstill after the crash[/caption]
