Close X
Friday, September 27, 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

    Woman Ticketed For Driving Snow-Covered Car In South End Halifax

    Woman Ticketed For Driving Snow-Covered Car In South End Halifax
    Halifax police Const. Diane Woodworth says the woman was stopped on Barrington Street on Wednesday because her car was not properly cleared of snow

    Woman Ticketed For Driving Snow-Covered Car In South End Halifax

    Ministers To Put Dollars, Marijuana On Health Agenda With Ottawa

    The ministers say they'll be asking Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott to boost Ottawa's share of health spending to at least 25 per cent of their budgets.

    Ministers To Put Dollars, Marijuana On Health Agenda With Ottawa

    'Homeless Jesus' Statue Being Mistaken For Real Person In Hamilton

    'Homeless Jesus' Statue Being Mistaken For Real Person In Hamilton
    HAMILTON — A statue in the southern Ontario city of Hamilton is getting a lot of attention from paramedics as a recent blast of wintry weather has resulted in calls about a homeless person sleeping on a bench.

    'Homeless Jesus' Statue Being Mistaken For Real Person In Hamilton

    Financial Jolt Assists B.C. Program Training Electric Car Technicians

    Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett says the province will provide $50,000 to help certified electricians receive training in the installation and maintenance of charging stations for the cars.

    Financial Jolt Assists B.C. Program Training Electric Car Technicians

    Liberal Tax Changes To Drain About $100Million More Per Year Than Expected: Watchdog

    Since winning the election, the Liberals fulfilled their campaign vow to cut federal income taxes for middle-income earners by raising the rate on the highest-earning Canadians

    Liberal Tax Changes To Drain About $100Million More Per Year Than Expected: Watchdog

    Cases Of Mesothelioma, Deadly Cancer Caused By Asbestos Exposure, On Rise: Statistics Canada

    Cases Of Mesothelioma, Deadly Cancer Caused By Asbestos Exposure, On Rise: Statistics Canada
    Described as a "cruel" disease, mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs as a result of inhaling asbestos dust and fibres.

    Cases Of Mesothelioma, Deadly Cancer Caused By Asbestos Exposure, On Rise: Statistics Canada