A tragic helicopter crash off the coast of the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i has resulted in one fatality and left two individuals missing. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when a helicopter associated with Ali‘i Kaua‘i Air Tours and Charters went down about a quarter mile offshore along the Na Pali Coast.
The crash was witnessed by hikers on the Kalalau Trail, who promptly reported the incident to Kaua'i Police Dispatch around 1:20 p.m. local time. Subsequently, one body was recovered from the ocean at approximately 2:25 p.m., while two others remain unaccounted for as of the latest update.
Local search and recovery efforts were temporarily halted at sundown for the safety of first responders, with the U.S. Coast Guard continuing the search into the evening. Operations are set to resume at first light on Friday, with a multi-agency response led by Kaua'i Police Chief to locate the missing individuals.
The identities of the passengers on the helicopter have not been disclosed, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. A temporary flight restriction has been imposed in the search area by the Federal Aviation Administration to facilitate ongoing operations.
Officials, including Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke, have expressed their condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. Kawakami emphasized the dedication of first responders in the emergency operation, while Luke thanked the various agencies involved in the search and recovery efforts.
Participating agencies include the U.S. Coast Guard, Kaua'i Fire Department, Kaua'i Emergency Management Agency, Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency, Ocean Safety Bureau personnel, and Kaua'i police. Despite the somber circumstances, the collaborative efforts of these organizations aim to bring closure to the families of the victims and shed light on the circumstances surrounding the helicopter crash.
