Close X
Tuesday, September 24, 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

    Toronto Stock Exchange Plummets As Oil Falls Below US $28 A Barrel

    Toronto Stock Exchange Plummets As Oil Falls Below US $28 A Barrel
    The S&P/TSX composite index was down 301.69 points or 2.4 per cent at 12,233.71 in mid-afternoon trading Tuesday.

    Toronto Stock Exchange Plummets As Oil Falls Below US $28 A Barrel

    Bail Hearing Taking Place In Montreal For Alleged Pedophiles

    Bail Hearing Taking Place In Montreal For Alleged Pedophiles
    MONTREAL — A bail hearing is taking place in Montreal today for seven of the 14 men charged in an alleged juvenile pornography ring.

    Bail Hearing Taking Place In Montreal For Alleged Pedophiles

    Trying To Catch A Child Killer: RCMP Conduct Huge DNA Sweep In Northern Manitoba

    Trying To Catch A Child Killer: RCMP Conduct Huge DNA Sweep In Northern Manitoba
    Teresa Robinson's remains were found in May by searchers on the Garden Hill First Nation in northern Manitoba. It was initially thought she had been attacked by a bear, but police soon ruled the death homicide.

    Trying To Catch A Child Killer: RCMP Conduct Huge DNA Sweep In Northern Manitoba

    RCMP Say Most Recommendations From Report On Moncton Shootings Completed

    RCMP Say Most Recommendations From Report On Moncton Shootings Completed
    It's been just over a year since the force accepted all 64 recommendations in a report by retired assistant commissioner Alphonse MacNeil.

    RCMP Say Most Recommendations From Report On Moncton Shootings Completed

    CP Rail Abandons Threat Of Proxy Battle In Adjusting Norfolk Takeover Strategy

    CP Rail Abandons Threat Of Proxy Battle In Adjusting Norfolk Takeover Strategy
    MONTREAL — Canadian Pacific Railway is asking Norfolk Southern shareholders to push the U.S. railway's board to enter into merger negotiations.

    CP Rail Abandons Threat Of Proxy Battle In Adjusting Norfolk Takeover Strategy

    Short Cut Goes Wrong For Family Rescued Out Of Bounds Near Kamloops Ski Resort

    Short Cut Goes Wrong For Family Rescued Out Of Bounds Near Kamloops Ski Resort
    A family of six had to be rescued from avalanche terrain Monday after they skied out of bounds at the Sun Peaks Resort north of Kamloops

    Short Cut Goes Wrong For Family Rescued Out Of Bounds Near Kamloops Ski Resort