1 dead, 2 missing after tour helicopter crashes off Hawaiian coast
Authorities on the Hawaiian island of Kauai resumed search operations on Friday after a tour helicopter crashed off the northern coast of the island, leaving at least one person dead and two others missing.
The Kauai Police Department first received a report from hikers that a helicopter crashed about a quarter mile offshore along the Na Pali Coast on Thursday at approximately 1:20 p.m., local time, according to the County of Kauai.
At 2:25 p.m. one person was found and confirmed dead, while the other two people remained missing, county officials said. Their names have not been released.
Multiple agencies have responded to the incident, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Ocean Safety Bureau and personnel with the island's fire department, emergency management agency and police department, the county government said.
Search and rescue operations, led by Kauai officials, were paused at sundown and were expected to resume at "first light on Friday," the county said in a statement. Meanwhile, crews with the U.S. Coast Guard searched through Thursday evening.
The helicopter was part of Ali‘i Kaua‘i Air Tours and Charters, which provides private helicopter tours of the island, taking riders over the Waimea Canyon, the rugged Na Pali Coast and dozens of cascading waterfalls, its website says.
Sarah Sulick, a spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said the agency is investigating the crash but did not provide any information about the incident.
NTSB investigations focus on the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment, Sulick said, adding that witness statements, recordings of air traffic control communications, maintenance records and surveillance videos would all be gathered and examined during the investigation.
On Thursday, officials in Kauai offered their condolences and prayers to the families of the victims.
"We are incredibly sad to hear of the life tragically lost today, and the two other individuals who are still missing,” said Kauai County Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami in a statement. “While we do not know all the details surrounding the incident at this time, we do know that our first responders are doing everything they can in this emergency operation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all involved.”
Kauai Police Chief Todd Raybuck said the multi-agency response remains focused on search and rescue.
"Our hearts go out to the families impacted by this tragedy," Raybuck said. "We will continue working with our partners to locate the missing individuals and provide support during this difficult time."