Oliver Holland: 12-year-old boy injured in Huntington Beach helicopter crash gets special holiday surprise following full recovery
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — A 12-year-old boy who was injured when a helicopter crashed into a pedestrian bridge in Huntington Beach has made a remarkable recovery – and he just got a big surprise.
Oliver Holland was on the ground enjoying a day at the beach in October when the helicopter suddenly came crashing down. He suffered from a collapsed lung and a brain bleed.
After weeks of recovery, Oliver got a special holiday gift on Saturday: a FaceTime call from the one and only rock legend Sammy Hagar.
Hagar and his Waterfront Beach Resort partner presented the boy with a $10,000 check.
The resort also hosted Oliver for a holiday staycation and a special dinner complete with a visit from the Grinch – who was being nice this year.
Oliver wasn’t comfortable speaking out just yet, so his sister stepped in.
“All that money is just going toward Oliver, it’s going toward straight to his college fund, because we want Oliver to have a successful future, and Oliver’s very smart,” said Madeline Ashwell. “So this is going straight to his bank account, and once he turns 18, to use for his future.”
Oliver has made a complete recovery and his sister says the family is ready to move ahead.
Copyright © 2025 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
