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

    Chief Medical Officer Makes Deal With New Brunswick Government After Losing Job

    Chief Medical Officer Makes Deal With New Brunswick Government After Losing Job
    FREDERICTON — New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health has reached an agreement with the province after saying last month she was fired.

    Chief Medical Officer Makes Deal With New Brunswick Government After Losing Job

    New York State Police To Provide More Detail On Deaths That Included B.C. Athlete Matthew Hutchinson

    New York State Police To Provide More Detail On Deaths That Included B.C. Athlete Matthew Hutchinson
    24-year-old Matthew Hutchinsonplayed hockey in British Columbia for the Chilliwack Chiefs before starting school in the United States in 2012

    New York State Police To Provide More Detail On Deaths That Included B.C. Athlete Matthew Hutchinson

    Trial To Start For Regina Couple Accused In Abuse Of 2 Sisters, One Who Died

    Trial To Start For Regina Couple Accused In Abuse Of 2 Sisters, One Who Died
    Tammy and Kevin Goforth are charged with second-degree murder and with criminal negligence causing bodily harm.

    Trial To Start For Regina Couple Accused In Abuse Of 2 Sisters, One Who Died

    Manitoba Names Lake After RCMP Officer Dennis Strongquill Killed In The Line Of Duty

    Manitoba Names Lake After RCMP Officer Dennis Strongquill Killed In The Line Of Duty
    It commemorates RCMP Const. Dennis Strongquill, who was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop in 2001.

    Manitoba Names Lake After RCMP Officer Dennis Strongquill Killed In The Line Of Duty

    Vancouver Mayor Apologizes To Men In Mall Photos Who Were Labelled 'suspicious'

    Gregor Robertson says it was a mistake that a document containing unblurred photos of three men described as "Middle Eastern" was leaked and that an online media outlet published the pictures

    Vancouver Mayor Apologizes To Men In Mall Photos Who Were Labelled 'suspicious'

    Woman Throws Ink At Kejriwal In Delhi, AAP Calls It A BJP Conspiracy

    Woman Throws Ink At Kejriwal In Delhi, AAP Calls It A BJP Conspiracy
    Kejriwal, who was speaking at the Chhatrasal Stadium in north Delhi, remained unruffled. Police detained the woman.

    Woman Throws Ink At Kejriwal In Delhi, AAP Calls It A BJP Conspiracy