Close X
Sunday, October 6, 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

    19 Indian-Canadians Elected To Canadian Parliament

    19 Indian-Canadians Elected To Canadian Parliament
    The Indian-Canadians more than doubled their representation in the Canadian parliament from eight to 19 as Canadians voted out the Conservative Party by handing out a landslide to the Liberal Party on Monday.

    19 Indian-Canadians Elected To Canadian Parliament

    Justin Trudeau Emerges As Political Force In Own Right, Out From Father's Shadow

    Justin Trudeau Emerges As Political Force In Own Right, Out From Father's Shadow
    OTTAWA — It seems somehow fitting that the son of the man who first fired up political passion in Stephen Harper should be the person to usher him out of politics.

    Justin Trudeau Emerges As Political Force In Own Right, Out From Father's Shadow

    In D.C. Bar, Canadians Involved In Foreign Affairs Cheer End Of The Harper Era

    In D.C. Bar, Canadians Involved In Foreign Affairs Cheer End Of The Harper Era
    It was a scene of cheers, high-fives, and sighs of relief about the demise of a Harper-era foreign policy they'd disdained for a decade, often in silence.

    In D.C. Bar, Canadians Involved In Foreign Affairs Cheer End Of The Harper Era

    Justin Trudeau Begins Healing Process After Divisive Election Campaign

    Justin Trudeau Begins Healing Process After Divisive Election Campaign
    MONTREAL — Justin Trudeau used his maiden speech as prime minister-designate to start the healing process for wounds torn open during a divisive election campaign. 

    Justin Trudeau Begins Healing Process After Divisive Election Campaign

    First Nations Look Forward To New Relationship With Ottawa: Chiefs

    First Nations Look Forward To New Relationship With Ottawa: Chiefs
    Some of Canada's top First Nations leaders say the federal election awoke a sleeping giant that the incoming Liberal government will have to contend with.

    First Nations Look Forward To New Relationship With Ottawa: Chiefs

    Stephen Harper Steps Down As Leader As Conservatives Reduced To Opposition Status

    Stephen Harper Steps Down As Leader As Conservatives Reduced To Opposition Status
    Stephen Harper's tenure as Canada's sixth-longest serving prime minister came to an abrupt end Monday night as his party was reduced to opposition status and he prepared to step down as its chief.

    Stephen Harper Steps Down As Leader As Conservatives Reduced To Opposition Status