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

    Trial Of Men Accused Of Killing Tim Bosma Set To Resume In Hamilton Court

    The trial of two men accused of killing Tim Bosma after going for a test drive in his truck continues this afternoon with more testimony from Crown witnesses.

    Trial Of Men Accused Of Killing Tim Bosma Set To Resume In Hamilton Court

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau To Attend Provincial Byelection Rally In Whitby, Ont.

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau To Attend Provincial Byelection Rally In Whitby, Ont.
    WHITBY, Ont. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to appear at a rally in Whitby, Ont., this evening in support of a Liberal candidate in an provincial byelection.

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau To Attend Provincial Byelection Rally In Whitby, Ont.

    Judge at Jian Ghomeshi sex assault trial to look at evidence from Crown witness

    Judge at Jian Ghomeshi sex assault trial to look at evidence from Crown witness
    The judge at Jian Ghomeshi's sexual assault trial says he will look at the evidence from one final witness that the Crown wanted to testify.

    Judge at Jian Ghomeshi sex assault trial to look at evidence from Crown witness

    Toronto Dad Who Starved, Drowned Teen Found Charred In Suitcase Gets Life

    Toronto Dad Who Starved, Drowned Teen Found Charred In Suitcase Gets Life
    Everton Biddersingh, 60, of Toronto, had little to say before Superior Court Justice Al O'Marra handed down the punishment for the "horrible" crime.

    Toronto Dad Who Starved, Drowned Teen Found Charred In Suitcase Gets Life

    Snow Day With No Snow Launches Annual Tradition Of Mocking School Boards

    Snow Day With No Snow Launches Annual Tradition Of Mocking School Boards
    FREDERICTON — If there's a lesson for school districts to learn about whether to declare a storm day, it's that most people will likely call it the wrong decision.

    Snow Day With No Snow Launches Annual Tradition Of Mocking School Boards

    Indigenous Affairs Minister Hears Anger, Cynicism From Families Of Murdered Women

    Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett met with the families of missing and murdered aboriginal women in Winnipeg on Monday and said she noticed a different tone from similar meetings in other cities.

    Indigenous Affairs Minister Hears Anger, Cynicism From Families Of Murdered Women