A heartbroken family are asking for prayers from the public after an 11-year-old boy was left pinned under the wreckage of a helicopter in Huntingdon Beach, California.
The helicopter in question was involved in a crash on October 11 after malfunctioning while flying over the beach. Five people were injured, including 11-year-old Oliver Holland.
Dramatic video footage from the scene showed bystanders rushing to help the boy, who appeared trapped beneath the aircraft moments after it came hurtling down to the ground.
A GoFundMe set up by Oliver’s sister, Madeline, detailed how her brother was left with life-threatening injuries after the freak accident.
“Oliver was enjoying a day at the beach when suddenly a helicopter malfunctioned and came crashing down on him,” the GoFundMe reads.
“He is currently in the hospital receiving surgery; he has a collapsed lung and brain bleed. We are praying for a safe recovery and we can’t really say anything else.”
Footage of the crash showed the aircraft spinning wildly before smashing into a row of palm trees. The rotor detached from the tail shortly before it plummeted from the sky.
According to the Huntington Beach Police Department, the helicopter was part of the Cars and Copters event scheduled for the following day (October 12).
The pilot of the aircraft, Eric Nixon of Redlands, California, suffered broken ribs and some crushed vertebrae but is expected to recover, according to KTLA. Five people were injured in the accident, including Ollie and two other people on the ground, along with Nixon and a passenger in the helicopter.
“We don’t know what is going to happen,” the GoFundMe appeal continued. “Oliver was the smartest, funniest boy I have ever known. I pray for my brother and a safe recovery.”
🚨 JUST IN: A helicopter has CRASHED in Huntington Beach, CA, narrowly missing beachgoers
Casualties unknown
Pray for those on board 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/pFnm5QKAOE
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 11, 2025
In a later post, Ollie’s family shared a cautiously optimistic update.
“[Oliver’s] conditions seem to be getting better. Doctors cannot say much due to it still being in the early stages but we are hopeful,” the update read.
At the time of writing, almost $113,000 has been raised of a $120,000 goal, with the money to be put towards aiding Ollie through his recovery.
“My family and I are not looking for some type of payout or free money,” Ollie’s sister Madeline explained on the GoFundMe. “All of these donations will go to ollies medical expenses. Both parents will not be working due to this accident.”
We’re sending prayers to Ollie and his family at this trying time. Leave a comment to wish him well.
