Close X
Saturday, September 28, 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

    B.C. Supreme Court Hands Another Setback To Northern Gateway Pipeline

    An alliance of First Nations is celebrating a British Columbia Supreme Court ruling that it says could set back the Northern Gateway pipeline by years and throw a wrench into another high-profile project review.

    B.C. Supreme Court Hands Another Setback To Northern Gateway Pipeline

    Westjet Vows To Compete With New Rival Newleaf On Fares, Not Added Fees

    MONTREAL — WestJet Airlines says it will use low fares to compete with new discount rival NewLeaf but its "ancillary revenue" will come only from extra fees that it thinks will "add value" for its guests.

    Westjet Vows To Compete With New Rival Newleaf On Fares, Not Added Fees

    Alberta Freezes Salaries Of Managers, Non-Union Public Service Workers

    Alberta Freezes Salaries Of Managers, Non-Union Public Service Workers
    Finance Minister Joe Ceci said Wednesday the move affects 7,000 civil servants and will save $57 million in total.

    Alberta Freezes Salaries Of Managers, Non-Union Public Service Workers

    Justin Trudeau Advised By Officials That Hamas-israel Truce Would Be In Their Interests

    Justin Trudeau Advised By Officials That Hamas-israel Truce Would Be In Their Interests
    Federal officials have told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that a truce between Israel and the militant group Hamas would be in both of their interests.

    Justin Trudeau Advised By Officials That Hamas-israel Truce Would Be In Their Interests

    Convicted Via Rail Plotter Chiheb Esseghaier To Appeal Terror Conviction At Ontario's Top Court

    Convicted Via Rail Plotter Chiheb Esseghaier To Appeal Terror Conviction At Ontario's Top Court
    Chiheb Esseghaier, a deeply religious Muslim, argues he ought to have been judged by the rules of the Qur'an.

    Convicted Via Rail Plotter Chiheb Esseghaier To Appeal Terror Conviction At Ontario's Top Court

    Thousands Flagged For Scrutiny By Canada's New Air Passenger Screening System

    Thousands Flagged For Scrutiny By Canada's New Air Passenger Screening System
    The Canada Border Services Agency says the travellers — flagged for possible links to terrorism or serious crime — represented a tiny fraction of the millions who flew into the country.

    Thousands Flagged For Scrutiny By Canada's New Air Passenger Screening System