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

    One Person Found Dead After Fire In Surrey Motorhome

    One Person Found Dead After Fire In Surrey Motorhome
    RCMP say they were called to the site of the fire around at 7:30 a.m. on Friday.

    One Person Found Dead After Fire In Surrey Motorhome

    Watch: Narendra Modi Praises Jawaharlal Nehru, Previous Governments In Ambedkar Debate

    Watch: Narendra Modi Praises Jawaharlal Nehru, Previous Governments In Ambedkar Debate
    Ending two days of discussions in parliament on the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar, widely seen as the architect of the constitution, Modi reached out to the opposition while underlining the diverse nature of the country.

    Watch: Narendra Modi Praises Jawaharlal Nehru, Previous Governments In Ambedkar Debate

    Toronto Officer Who Shot Teen On Streetcar Wasn't Thinking Like A Cop: Crown

    Crown lawyer Milan Rupic says Const. James Forcillo didn't see his job as one that required him to speak with a "drug-addled teenager who is on a very bad trip."

    Toronto Officer Who Shot Teen On Streetcar Wasn't Thinking Like A Cop: Crown

    Panda Cubs Doing 'Very Well': Toronto Zoo

    Panda Cubs Doing 'Very Well': Toronto Zoo
    The zoo says the cubs have been moved to a larger incubator and alternate spending time with their mother, Er Shun, who is on loan from China.

    Panda Cubs Doing 'Very Well': Toronto Zoo

    Steve Martin Generated 'A Lot Of Attention' For Lawren Harris Sales: Heffel

    Steve Martin Generated 'A Lot Of Attention' For Lawren Harris Sales: Heffel
    TORONTO — Comic legend Steve Martin's passionate evangelism of Lawren Harris seems to have boosted interest in the Canadian painter, the president of Heffel Fine Art Auction House said a day after a blockbuster sale.

    Steve Martin Generated 'A Lot Of Attention' For Lawren Harris Sales: Heffel

    Canada Commits $2.65 Billion To Climate Fund To Help Developing Countries

    Canada Commits $2.65 Billion To Climate Fund To Help Developing Countries
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement Friday at the summit of Commonwealth leaders in Malta, where the battle against global warming is becoming the dominant issue.

    Canada Commits $2.65 Billion To Climate Fund To Help Developing Countries