Close X
Wednesday, October 2, 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

    Nanaimo, B.C., Man Nearly Loses Thousands Of Dollars In iTunes Scam

    Nanaimo, B.C., Man Nearly Loses Thousands Of Dollars In iTunes Scam
    RCMP say the man received an email that appeared to be from Apple iTunes listing several transactions on his account, and asking him to click on a link if the charges were incorrect or fraudulent.

    Nanaimo, B.C., Man Nearly Loses Thousands Of Dollars In iTunes Scam

    Ontario Businessman Jim Estill Sponsoring 50 Syrian Families; Rallies Town To Welcome Them

    Ontario Businessman Jim Estill  Sponsoring 50 Syrian Families; Rallies Town To Welcome Them
    Jim Estill says he's spending at least $1.5 million to privately sponsor the families and help them settle in the southern Ontario city of Guelph.

    Ontario Businessman Jim Estill Sponsoring 50 Syrian Families; Rallies Town To Welcome Them

    'Black Widow' Denied Early Release By Parole Board Of Canada

    'Black Widow' Denied Early Release By Parole Board Of Canada
    MONCTON, N.B. — The Parole Board of Canada says an elderly woman known as the "Black Widow" who was convicted of spiking her newlywed husband’s coffee with tranquilizers has been denied an early release.

    'Black Widow' Denied Early Release By Parole Board Of Canada

    Elizabeth Fry Challenging Decision To Deny It Standing At Saskatchewan Inquest

    Elizabeth Fry Challenging Decision To Deny It Standing At Saskatchewan Inquest
    SASKATOON — A group that helps women in the justice system is challenging a decision by a Saskatchewan coroner to bar it from taking part in an inquest.

    Elizabeth Fry Challenging Decision To Deny It Standing At Saskatchewan Inquest

    Private Refugee Sponsoring Costly But Newcomers Better Off: Sponsor

    Private Refugee Sponsoring Costly But Newcomers Better Off: Sponsor
    MONTREAL — It was only because Feras Hariri stayed late at his in-laws' house that he and his family weren't killed by a Syrian government air strike that destroyed his home, says his brother Anas.

    Private Refugee Sponsoring Costly But Newcomers Better Off: Sponsor

    Remains Found Of Woman Missing More Than Five Years; Saskatoon Police Arrest Man

    Remains Found Of Woman Missing More Than Five Years; Saskatoon Police Arrest Man
    Police on Friday identified human remains found earlier this month as belonging to Karina Beth Ann Wolfe, who was 20 when she vanished in July 2010.

    Remains Found Of Woman Missing More Than Five Years; Saskatoon Police Arrest Man