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

    Halifax Astronomer Catches Rare Image Of Booster Re-entering Atmosphere

    Halifax Astronomer Catches Rare Image Of Booster Re-entering Atmosphere
    A Halifax-based astronomer is the envy of his peers after he photographed a rare image in the skies from his balcony Sunday evening.

    Halifax Astronomer Catches Rare Image Of Booster Re-entering Atmosphere

    Four Mounties Suspended In New Brunswick Over Discreditable Conduct Allegations

    Four Mounties Suspended In New Brunswick Over Discreditable Conduct Allegations
    The Mounties say they are acting on information that resulted in three suspensions in early November.

    Four Mounties Suspended In New Brunswick Over Discreditable Conduct Allegations

    Police In Grenada Search For New Brunswick Woman Who Disappeared While Jogging

    Police In Grenada Search For New Brunswick Woman Who Disappeared While Jogging
    ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada — Police in Grenada are searching the small Caribbean island for a missing woman from New Brunswick who disappeared while out jogging with her dog.

    Police In Grenada Search For New Brunswick Woman Who Disappeared While Jogging

    High-Income Earners Urged To Make Changes Now To Avoid Income Tax Increase

    High-Income Earners Urged To Make Changes Now To Avoid Income Tax Increase
    Tax experts say if you are lucky enough to find yourself in Ottawa's new top bracket — those earning $200,000 or more — you shouldn't defer any income that you can take this year because you'll pay more if you do.

    High-Income Earners Urged To Make Changes Now To Avoid Income Tax Increase

    Ontario Spends $20 Million To Build Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

    Ontario Spends $20 Million To Build Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
    PARIS — Ontario's Liberal government will spend $20 million to create more public charging stations for electric vehicles.

    Ontario Spends $20 Million To Build Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

    Money On The Line: Winner Of Grey Cup 50/50 Prize Pot Yet To Come Forward

    Money On The Line: Winner Of Grey Cup 50/50 Prize Pot Yet To Come Forward
    WINNIPEG — It’s been more than a week since the Edmonton Eskimos won the Grey Cup, but there's another prize that's still up for grabs.

    Money On The Line: Winner Of Grey Cup 50/50 Prize Pot Yet To Come Forward