Close X
Saturday, October 5, 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

    NDP Caucus Prepares To Meet In Person For First Time Since Election Defeat

    New Democrat MPs will meet face to face in Ottawa on Wednesday for the first time since the party went from the orange crush to the orange crushed.

    NDP Caucus Prepares To Meet In Person For First Time Since Election Defeat

    Statistics Canada Says Trade Deficit Narrows To $1.7 Billion For September

    Statistics Canada Says Trade Deficit Narrows To $1.7 Billion For September
    The result compared with a revised deficit of $2.7 billion in August that was first reported to be $2.5 billion.

    Statistics Canada Says Trade Deficit Narrows To $1.7 Billion For September

    Preliminary Trial Date Set For Ontario Woman Charged After Giving Water To Pigs

    Preliminary Trial Date Set For Ontario Woman Charged After Giving Water To Pigs
    The preliminary hearing for a woman charged with mischief after providing water to pigs en route to a slaughterhouse has been set for the end of November.

    Preliminary Trial Date Set For Ontario Woman Charged After Giving Water To Pigs

    Two Turbaned Sikhs Among Four Indo-Canadians Sworn In As Cabinet Ministers In Canada

    Two Turbaned Sikhs Among Four Indo-Canadians Sworn In As Cabinet Ministers In Canada
    The Punjabi community in Canada made history on Wednesday when two turbaned Sikhs, among four Indo-Canadians, were sworn in as cabinet ministers, as 42-year-old Justin Trudeau took oath as the country's 23rd prime minister at a grand public ceremony here.

    Two Turbaned Sikhs Among Four Indo-Canadians Sworn In As Cabinet Ministers In Canada

    Richmond Councillor Says Vancouver Coastal Health Ignoring Earthquake Danger

    Richmond Councillor Says Vancouver Coastal Health Ignoring Earthquake Danger
    Bill McNulty says studies conducted in 2005 and 2011 found Richmond Hospital could not withstand even a moderate shaker.

    Richmond Councillor Says Vancouver Coastal Health Ignoring Earthquake Danger

    Two Walk Away From Vancouver Island Plane Crash; Vernon Man Dies In Unrelated Collision

    Two Walk Away From Vancouver Island Plane Crash; Vernon Man Dies In Unrelated Collision
    A 36-year-old Vernon man has been identified as the victim of a single vehicle crash on Highway 95 south of Golden in southeastern B.C.

    Two Walk Away From Vancouver Island Plane Crash; Vernon Man Dies In Unrelated Collision