Close X
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canadian Teenager Dies After Pearl Harbor Helicopter Crash

The Canadian Press, 23 Feb, 2016 10:09 AM
    HONOLULU — A 16-year-old passenger died Monday after being injured last week in a Pearl Harbor helicopter crash, hospital officials said.
     
    The teen and three family members visiting from Canada were aboard a tour helicopter when it crashed into the water near the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center on Thursday.
     
    Their names have not been released.
     
    Two family members remain hospitalized in stable condition. Another was treated and released.
     
    "So that the 16-year-old's memory lives on, the family has chosen to donate his organs to patients in need," Gidget Ruscetta, chief operating officer at Pali Momi Medical Center, said in a statement.
     
    No information was available for the pilot, who was taken to another hospital.
     
    Federal agencies are investigating the crash.
     
    The boy was trapped underwater and had to be cut free from his seat, according to witnesses.
     
    Federal records show the helicopter is registered to Jeffrey Gebhard of Kailua, Hawaii. The Navy said the helicopter reportedly belongs to Genesis Aviation. The website for Genesis Helicopters says it was founded by Gebhard and conducts tours over Oahu.
     
     
     
    A call to Gebhard was not answered on Monday. A man who answered at a number listed for him last week declined comment, citing the investigation.
     
    Civilian divers floated the helicopter to the surface Friday and a crane pulled it out. The Navy said the aircraft was taken to Genesis Aviation's hangar at the airport, where the National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an investigation.
     
    It was the second major crash this year involving helicopters on Oahu.
     
    Twelve Hawaii-based Marines were killed when two military helicopters crashed during nighttime training on Jan. 14. Both aircraft were CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopters that were part of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463.
     
    Shawn Winrich, visiting from Madison, Wisconsin, was taking photos of Pearl Harbor when he saw the helicopter headed toward the popular tourist destination.
     
    He switched to video, recording the helicopter's dramatic drop into the water.
     
    "All of a sudden it essentially just fell out of the sky and crash-landed in the water," he said last week.
     
    He stopped filming and jumped in to help.
     
    The Honolulu Emergency Services Department took the teen to the hospital in critical condition.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    WWE Stars Hit Pause On Fights To Preach Anti-Bullying Effort

    WWE Stars Hit Pause On Fights To Preach Anti-Bullying Effort
    When WWE wrestlers stop beating each other with kendo sticks, plowing each other through tables or delivering chair shots to the back, they take a moment to deliver a simple, if paradoxical, message.

    WWE Stars Hit Pause On Fights To Preach Anti-Bullying Effort

    U.S. Politician Says Listen To Kids In Wake Of School Shootings Like La Loche

    U.S. Politician Says Listen To Kids In Wake Of School Shootings Like La Loche
    A Washington state senator whose own community was ripped apart by a school shooting in 2014 has advice for Canadian leaders as they grapple with the aftermath of Friday's killings in La Loche, Sask.

    U.S. Politician Says Listen To Kids In Wake Of School Shootings Like La Loche

    Medical Cannabis Producer Bedrocan Lowers Its Prices To $5 A Gram

    Medical Cannabis Producer Bedrocan Lowers Its Prices To $5 A Gram
    The company's products previously cost $7.50 a gram.

    Medical Cannabis Producer Bedrocan Lowers Its Prices To $5 A Gram

    Details Of Teacher Contracts To Be Released 'as Soon As Possible': Minister

    Liz Sandals has answered questions about $3.74 million in payments to cover negotiating costs for several unions by promising to release the agreements once all are finalized.  

    Details Of Teacher Contracts To Be Released 'as Soon As Possible': Minister

    Refugees In Search of Shelter

    Refugees In Search of Shelter
    Amongst the active pool of communities and organizations extending various services towards facilitating resettlement of refugees in Canada is the South Asian community. Individuals from various fields including business, education and health have come forward to allocate relief mechanisms in this direction.

    Refugees In Search of Shelter

    Snowmobiler Dies In B.C. Mountains Amid Sweeping Warning From Avalanche Canada

    Snowmobiler Dies In B.C. Mountains Amid Sweeping Warning From Avalanche Canada
    RCMP in Prince George say a group of five snowmobilers was riding in the remote Torpy Mountain range, northeast of the city, when one of the riders was swept away in an avalanche and killed.

    Snowmobiler Dies In B.C. Mountains Amid Sweeping Warning From Avalanche Canada