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

    RCMP Say Derek Saretzky, Suspect In Alberta Double Murder, Fit To Stand Trial

    RCMP Say Derek Saretzky, Suspect In Alberta Double Murder, Fit To Stand Trial
    LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — RCMP say the man accused of killing a two-year-old southwestern Alberta girl and her father has been found fit to stand trial.

    RCMP Say Derek Saretzky, Suspect In Alberta Double Murder, Fit To Stand Trial

    For Obama, Thanksgiving Is All About Food, Football And Hoping Turkey Doesn't Turn Out Too Dry

    For Obama, Thanksgiving Is All About Food, Football And Hoping Turkey Doesn't Turn Out Too Dry
    There was honey-baked ham with apricot-mustard glaze, and prime rib and creamed horseradish, according to the White House.

    For Obama, Thanksgiving Is All About Food, Football And Hoping Turkey Doesn't Turn Out Too Dry

    Former Olympic CEO Furlong Makes First Major Speech After Abuse Allegations Case

    VANCOUVER — John Furlong felt accused of letting Canada down when a newspaper published allegations that he abused First Nations children, the former Vancouver Olympics boss said in his first major speech in three years.

    Former Olympic CEO Furlong Makes First Major Speech After Abuse Allegations Case

    Federal Energy Minister Meets With Oil Industry Officials In Calgary

    Federal Energy Minister Meets With Oil Industry Officials In Calgary
    CALGARY — Canada's new natural resources minister met with his Alberta counterpart and oil industry executives in Calgary on Wednesday but gave them little to cheer about.

    Federal Energy Minister Meets With Oil Industry Officials In Calgary

    Dennis Oland To Testify In His Own Defence At Murder Trial

    Dennis Oland To Testify In His Own Defence At Murder Trial
    "Let me make one thing perfectly clear: to be sure it is our position that the Crown has not presented a case that satisfies the legal burden on this charge," Miller said.

    Dennis Oland To Testify In His Own Defence At Murder Trial

    Vancouver Police Say Deadly One-punch Incidents Fuelled By Booze And Bravado

    Vancouver Police Say Deadly One-punch Incidents Fuelled By Booze And Bravado
    Vancouver police say alcohol and bravado appear to be fuelling a disturbing — and sometimes deadly — trend of one-punch attacks.

    Vancouver Police Say Deadly One-punch Incidents Fuelled By Booze And Bravado