Close X
Tuesday, October 1, 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

    Judge Rules B.C. Man Accused Of Child Porn In Massachusetts Can Be Extradited

    Judge Rules B.C. Man Accused Of Child Porn In Massachusetts Can Be Extradited
    VANCOUVER — A B.C. Supreme Court judge says a man accused of convincing two Massachusetts girls to send him naked photos of themselves can be extradited to the United States.

    Judge Rules B.C. Man Accused Of Child Porn In Massachusetts Can Be Extradited

    Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali Responds To Donald Trump's Call To Ban Muslims From Entering US

    Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali Responds To Donald Trump's Call To Ban Muslims From Entering US
    Ali, one of the most famous Muslims in the world, says "the ruthless violence of so-called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion."

    Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali Responds To Donald Trump's Call To Ban Muslims From Entering US

    Case Of Marco Muzzo Accused In Alleged Drunk Driving Crash That Killed 4 Put Over To Jan. 6

    Case Of Marco Muzzo Accused In Alleged Drunk Driving Crash That Killed 4 Put Over To Jan. 6
    Marco Muzzo appeared via video link at a courthouse in Newmarket, Ont., on Thursday, where his case was put over to Jan. 6.

    Case Of Marco Muzzo Accused In Alleged Drunk Driving Crash That Killed 4 Put Over To Jan. 6

    Harjit Sajjan Non-Committal On Afghan Security Funding Renewal In Wake Of Kandahar Attack

    Harjit Sajjan Non-Committal On Afghan Security Funding Renewal In Wake Of Kandahar Attack
    Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was non-committal Wednesday about renewing Canada's $300 million support for Afghan security forces, despite a deadly attack at Kandahar Airfield that left dozens dead.

    Harjit Sajjan Non-Committal On Afghan Security Funding Renewal In Wake Of Kandahar Attack

    B.C. Signs Pledge To Join Global Race Towards Zero-emission Vehicles

      VICTORIA — British Columbia has joined a global team aiming to fill highways and city streets with zero-emission vehicles over the next 35 years.

    B.C. Signs Pledge To Join Global Race Towards Zero-emission Vehicles

    University Of Northern B.C. Board Failed To Consult On James Moore: Senate

    PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — The University of Northern British Columbia's senate is formally opposing the process by which former Conservative MP James Moore was selected as chancellor.

    University Of Northern B.C. Board Failed To Consult On James Moore: Senate