Close X
Thursday, October 3, 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

    Osoyoos, B.C., Woman Charged With Assault Says Her Comment Sent Cop Into Rage

    Osoyoos, B.C., Woman Charged With Assault Says Her Comment Sent Cop Into Rage
    PENTICTON, B.C. — A woman accused of attacking a Mountie in Osoyoos, B.C., claims she’s the one who was victimized as a result of their past dealings.

    Osoyoos, B.C., Woman Charged With Assault Says Her Comment Sent Cop Into Rage

    Manitoba NDP Cabinet Minister Apologizes For Calling Tory A 'Fascist'

    Manitoba NDP Cabinet Minister Apologizes For Calling Tory A 'Fascist'
    WINNIPEG — A Manitoba NDP cabinet minister says he's sorry for calling a Conservative legislature member a fascist in "the heat of the moment" during a legislature debate.

    Manitoba NDP Cabinet Minister Apologizes For Calling Tory A 'Fascist'

    Top Court To Rule If Alberta Must Enact Laws In Both English And French

    Top Court To Rule If Alberta Must Enact Laws In Both English And French
    OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada is set to rule Friday on whether Alberta is required by the Constitution to enact its laws in both English and French.

    Top Court To Rule If Alberta Must Enact Laws In Both English And French

    Federal Government To Update Canadians On Health Of Public Books, Economy

    Federal Government To Update Canadians On Health Of Public Books, Economy
    Finance Minister Bill Morneau will release his fiscal and economic update at a time when the country is still trying to shake off the negative effects of low oil prices.

    Federal Government To Update Canadians On Health Of Public Books, Economy

    Source Behind Scud Stud Article Admits She Considered Quitting The Campaign

    Arthur Kent is suing Postmedia, the National Post and columnist Don Martin alleging they defamed him when he was campaigning to win the Calgary Currie seat for the Progressive Conservatives in the 2008 provincial election.

    Source Behind Scud Stud Article Admits She Considered Quitting The Campaign

    Mayor John Tory Moots Toronto-Pune Sister City Relationship

    Mayor John Tory Moots Toronto-Pune Sister City Relationship
    Canada's biggest city Toronto may soon have a sister-city relationship with the city of Pune in India's Maharashtra state.

    Mayor John Tory Moots Toronto-Pune Sister City Relationship