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

    Texas-Based Waste Connections To Take Over Progressive Waste Solutions

    Texas-Based Waste Connections To Take Over Progressive Waste Solutions
    The deal — a type of stock transaction known as a reverse takeover — will create a new Canadian corporate entity that's 70 per cent owned by shareholders of Waste Connections and 30 per cent by shareholders of Progressive Waste.

    Texas-Based Waste Connections To Take Over Progressive Waste Solutions

    Sobey's Warns Poor Weather In California And Mexico Will Keep Prices

    Sobey's Warns Poor Weather In California And Mexico Will Keep Prices
    MONTREAL — Canadians can expect high prices for produce to last at least several more weeks as a result of the weak loonie and weather issues in crop-growing areas, one of the country's largest grocery chains said Monday.

    Sobey's Warns Poor Weather In California And Mexico Will Keep Prices

    'Troubling' Conservative Torture Policy Up For Review, Ralph Goodale Says

    'Troubling' Conservative Torture Policy Up For Review, Ralph Goodale Says
    OTTAWA — The Trudeau Liberals will review controversial directives enacted by the Harper government that allow for the sharing of information even when it might lead to torture, says the public safety minister.

    'Troubling' Conservative Torture Policy Up For Review, Ralph Goodale Says

    One In Five Aboriginal People Have Suicidal Thoughts At Some Point: StatsCan

    When the groups were examined separately, different factors emerged as associated with suicidal thoughts including drinking, marital status and health conditions.

    One In Five Aboriginal People Have Suicidal Thoughts At Some Point: StatsCan

    New Ferry Service Planned Linking Vancouver And Victoria

    New Ferry Service Planned Linking Vancouver And Victoria
    A new ferry service linking Vancouver and Victoria is being planned now that FRS, a global ferry and shipping group, has acquired a majority interest in Seattle-based Clipper.

    New Ferry Service Planned Linking Vancouver And Victoria

    No Injuries, But One Home Hit By Gunfire In Separate Abbotsford Shootings

    No Injuries, But One Home Hit By Gunfire In Separate Abbotsford Shootings
    The most recent occurred minutes after midnight on Monday when a home in the northeast corner of Abbotsford was hit by gunfire.

    No Injuries, But One Home Hit By Gunfire In Separate Abbotsford Shootings