Close X
Monday, November 11, 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

    Quebec Says Uber Should Start Respecting Laws Before Asking For Reforms

    Quebec Says Uber Should Start Respecting Laws Before Asking For Reforms
    Uber should start respecting the law before it asks for legislative reforms that suit its interests, Transport Minister Jacques Daoust said Thursday during the first day of hearings into the future of the taxi industry.

    Quebec Says Uber Should Start Respecting Laws Before Asking For Reforms

    School Division Defies Alberta Government, Won't Submit Policy On LGBTQ Students

    School Division Defies Alberta Government, Won't Submit Policy On LGBTQ Students
    An Alberta school division has voted to defy the education minister and not submit a policy on transgender and other sexual minority students.

    School Division Defies Alberta Government, Won't Submit Policy On LGBTQ Students

    Justin Trudeau says he expects Canada-EU free deal to be signed this year

    Justin Trudeau says he expects Canada-EU free deal to be signed this year
    When it is it ratified later, it will be an important milestone in relations between Canada and the 28-country European block.

    Justin Trudeau says he expects Canada-EU free deal to be signed this year

    Avalanche Warning Issued For Southeastern B.C., As Dangerous Conditions Develop

    The warning is in effect through to Monday, Feb. 22, and covers the North and South Columbia regions, the Purcell Mountains and the Kootenay Boundary.

    Avalanche Warning Issued For Southeastern B.C., As Dangerous Conditions Develop

    As Fentanyl Deaths Rise, Vancouver Considers More Safe Injection Services

    As Fentanyl Deaths Rise, Vancouver Considers More Safe Injection Services
    Health authorities in Vancouver and Victoria have begun discussions about providing the services in clinics that already help people with addictions, for example, through clean needle programs.

    As Fentanyl Deaths Rise, Vancouver Considers More Safe Injection Services

    Province Uncorks Rules To Licence VQA Wineries In B.C. Grocery Stores

    Province Uncorks Rules To Licence VQA Wineries In B.C. Grocery Stores
    Grocery stores hoping to sell British Columbia's high-quality wines, ciders and sake will have to bid against each other for the chance to apply for a licence.

    Province Uncorks Rules To Licence VQA Wineries In B.C. Grocery Stores