Close X
Monday, October 7, 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

    Eric Amaral, Man Charged In Pellet Gun Shooting Linked To Arrow Killing In Kitchener: Police

    Eric Amaral, Man Charged In Pellet Gun Shooting Linked To Arrow Killing In Kitchener: Police
    Police say a man charged in a pellet gun shooting in Kitchener, Ont., is also a person of interest in the death of a 60-year-old man who was found with an arrow in his chest earlier this month.

    Eric Amaral, Man Charged In Pellet Gun Shooting Linked To Arrow Killing In Kitchener: Police

    Uber Partners With Air Miles To Give Customers Loyalty Points

    The mobile app, which has shaken up the taxi industry, is offering riders the option of collecting rewards points with the Canadian loyalty program operator.

    Uber Partners With Air Miles To Give Customers Loyalty Points

    B.C. First Nation Struggles With Attack That Injured 10, Left Suspect Dead

    B.C. First Nation Struggles With Attack That Injured 10, Left Suspect Dead
    Members of a First Nation in British Columbia's Interior sounded drums and chanted songs, as they grappled with a violent attack that only hours earlier injured 10 people and left the suspect dead.

    B.C. First Nation Struggles With Attack That Injured 10, Left Suspect Dead

    Mulcair, Harper Take Aim At Trudeau, Remind Voters Of Sponsorship Scandal

    Mulcair, Harper Take Aim At Trudeau, Remind Voters Of Sponsorship Scandal
    OTTAWA — Despite having been cut loose from the Liberals, Dan Gagnier is still weighing down Justin Trudeau's campaign.

    Mulcair, Harper Take Aim At Trudeau, Remind Voters Of Sponsorship Scandal

    Gordon Stuckless Doesn't Meet Dangerous Offender Status: Psychiatric Assessment

    The 38-page report on Gordon Stuckless was compiled by Dr. Mark Pearce, a forensic psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

    Gordon Stuckless Doesn't Meet Dangerous Offender Status: Psychiatric Assessment

    Unpaid Internships Still Demand Action For Exploiting Young: Expert

    Unpaid Internships Still Demand Action For Exploiting Young: Expert
    You must be punctual. You must own your own car. You will be emailing and calling seven days a week at all hours.

    Unpaid Internships Still Demand Action For Exploiting Young: Expert