A tragic helicopter accident off the coast of Kaua'i, Hawaii, has resulted in the death of one person and the disappearance of two others. The incident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, has sent shockwaves through the community and prompted a multi-agency search and recovery operation.
Tragedy has struck the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i, where a tourist helicopter crash has left one person dead and two others missing. The heartbreaking incident occurred off the picturesque Na Pali Coast, a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
According to the County of Kaua'i government Facebook page, the helicopter associated with Ali‘i Kaua‘i Air Tours and Charters crashed approximately a quarter mile offshore along the Na Pali Coast at around 1:20 p.m. local time. Hikers on the Kalalau Trail witnessed the helicopter's sudden descent into the water and immediately alerted authorities.
Tragedy in Paradise: Helicopter Crash Claims One Life, Two Missing in Hawaii
Emergency responders from multiple agencies, including the Kaua'i Fire Department, Kaua'i Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, and Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency, rushed to the scene. A body was recovered from the ocean around 2:25 p.m., but two other individuals remained missing as of a 6:10 p.m. update from the county.
The identities of the helicopter's passengers have not yet been released. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
Tragedy in Paradise: Helicopter Crash Claims One Life, Two Missing in Hawaii
Local search and recovery efforts were temporarily suspended at sundown for the safety of first responders, but the U.S. Coast Guard continued its search into the evening. Local efforts are expected to resume "at first light on Friday," according to the county.
Kaua'i Police Chief Todd Raybuck expressed his condolences to the families impacted by the tragedy and vowed that the search and recovery for the two missing bodies would continue. "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."
Tragedy in Paradise: Helicopter Crash Claims One Life, Two Missing in Hawaii
Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami shared his "incredibly sad" reaction to the crash, offering his condolences to the loved ones of those involved. "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," Kawakami said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all involved."
Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke also extended her "deepest condolences to the loved ones of those involved in this terrible incident." She thanked all the agencies responding to the crash for their assistance and expressed hope that the missing individuals would be found.
A temporary flight restriction has been enacted in the search area by the Federal Aviation Administration while the operation remains active.
