Close X
Monday, September 23, 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

    Justin Trudeau Promotes Spending To Help Economy As Experts Warn Of Weak Outlook

    Justin Trudeau Promotes Spending To Help Economy As Experts Warn Of Weak Outlook
    Justin Trudeau is talking up the need for more federal spending to help the economy on a day experts are sharing their downgraded forecasts with his government.

    Justin Trudeau Promotes Spending To Help Economy As Experts Warn Of Weak Outlook

    More Private-Sector To Help Find Housing For Syrian Refugees In Calgary

    Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi says a new infusion of private-sector funds should help address one aspect of the city's Syrian refugee response that's been more challenging than expected.

    More Private-Sector To Help Find Housing For Syrian Refugees In Calgary

    Liberal Government Misfires On Promised Gun-Marking Measures

    Liberal Government Misfires On Promised Gun-Marking Measures
    OTTAWA — The Liberal government has broken a promise to immediately implement firearm-marking regulations to help police trace guns used in crime.

    Liberal Government Misfires On Promised Gun-Marking Measures

    Federal Court Rules Parks Canada Can Mull Tent Cabins In Jasper Park

    Federal Court Rules Parks Canada Can Mull Tent Cabins In Jasper Park
    That means a proposal to set up overnight tent cabins at Jasper National Park's iconic Maligne Lake can proceed to the next step.

    Federal Court Rules Parks Canada Can Mull Tent Cabins In Jasper Park

    Ottawa Owes Millions In Unpaid Property Taxes For Human Rights Museum: Winnipeg

    Ottawa Owes Millions In Unpaid Property Taxes For Human Rights Museum: Winnipeg
    The City of Winnipeg says the federal government owes $6.7 million in unpaid property taxes for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

    Ottawa Owes Millions In Unpaid Property Taxes For Human Rights Museum: Winnipeg

    Etch A Sketch, Doodle Sketch Toy Rights Bought By Toronto Company

    Etch A Sketch, Doodle Sketch Toy Rights Bought By Toronto Company
    Toronto-based Spin Master Corp. says it has purchased the patents, trademarks, tooling and inventory for both toys from The Ohio Art Company.

    Etch A Sketch, Doodle Sketch Toy Rights Bought By Toronto Company