Hanalei, Hawaii — A helicopter crashed Thursday afternoon off a remote beach of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, killing three people and injuring two, authorities said.
The helicopter was carrying a pilot and four passengers when it crashed at Kalalau Beach, the Kauai Fire Department said. The beach is on the Na Pali Coast on Kauai’s north shore. The Coast Guard told CBS News the chopper went down about 100 yards offshore.
The Kauai Fire Department responded with an Air 1 helicopter crew and officers aboard jet skis, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
Police said three people died and two others were transported to Wilcox Medical Center for treatment.
U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Station Kauai
“We are greatly saddened by the loss of three lives in this helicopter crash and thinking of those individuals’ families and friends,” Coast Guard Cmdr. Andrew Williams said in a statement. “We are also keeping the survivors in our thoughts as they begin their recovery. We remain grateful for close coordination with our partner agencies throughout this tragic incident.”
Officials said the helicopter was operated by Airborne Aviation, a company offering tours.
Helicopter tours are a popular way to explore the cliffs, beaches and waterfalls lining the Na Pali Coast, which is otherwise only accessible by hiking or boat.
Derek Kawakami, mayor of Kauai, thanked the coordinated efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard and local police, fire and safety agencies.
“Here on Kauai, whenever somebody puts their feet on our soil, they’re one of ours, we treat them like one of ours, they’re a part of our family, and our first responders respond with that spirit in mind,” he said in an interview with Hawaii News Now.
A Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson told CBS News the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate, with the NTSB in the lead.
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