Close X
Friday, October 4, 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

    Another Beluga Calf Sired By Vancouver Whale Dies In Captivity In Texas

    Another Beluga Calf Sired By Vancouver Whale Dies In Captivity In Texas
    The two-year-old calf's cause of death has yet to be determined, though SeaWorld says she was being treated at the time for signs of gastrointestinal issues.

    Another Beluga Calf Sired By Vancouver Whale Dies In Captivity In Texas

    No Time In Custody For Teen Found Guilty In Ontario Cop's Death

    No Time In Custody For Teen Found Guilty In Ontario Cop's Death
    NEWMARKET, Ont. — A 19-year-old found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of a York Region Police officer will not spend any time in custody.

    No Time In Custody For Teen Found Guilty In Ontario Cop's Death

    Home Church Of British Scuba Diving Victim Calls For B.C. Coroners' Inquest

    Home Church Of British Scuba Diving Victim Calls For B.C. Coroners' Inquest
    Kings Cross Methodist Church in London says an investigation into Timothy Chu's death should happen both for the sake of public safety and for Victoria's reputation as a prime tourism destination.

    Home Church Of British Scuba Diving Victim Calls For B.C. Coroners' Inquest

    Toronto, Vancouver Markets Push October Home Sales Higher, CREA Says

    Toronto, Vancouver Markets Push October Home Sales Higher, CREA Says
    The Canadian Real Estate Association said Monday the number of homes sold through its Multiple Listing Service was up 1.8 per cent in October from the previous month.

    Toronto, Vancouver Markets Push October Home Sales Higher, CREA Says

    Health Minister Jane Philpott Signals Refugee Plan Will Be Announced Soon

    Health Minister Jane Philpott Signals Refugee Plan Will Be Announced Soon
    OTTAWA — Health Minister Jane Philpott says she hopes the government will have more details this week on its plan to bring in 25,000 refugees by the end of the year.

    Health Minister Jane Philpott Signals Refugee Plan Will Be Announced Soon

    Ontario Leaders Condemn Paris Attacks, Peterborough Mosque Fire

    TORONTO — Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says "vengeful rage" is not the answer to overcoming the "evil" of last week's attacks on Paris.

    Ontario Leaders Condemn Paris Attacks, Peterborough Mosque Fire