HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR123119KauaipolicefinalizehelicoptercrashrecoveryeffortsTHE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
mqa MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
C OF
News Release
For Immediate Release: December 31, 2019
KAUA`I POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-1600
Fax (808) 241-1604
Kauai police finalize helicopter crash recovery efforts
LIHUE — The Kauai Police Department is finalizing its efforts to recover the last remains
and personal effects of the pilot and passengers aboard the helicopter that crashed on Dec. 26
in Koke`e.
"We have recovered as much as we can from the site so that families can hopefully find
some sense of closure," said KPD Assistant Chief Bryson Ponce. "We ask that the public please
continue to remember those who have just lost their loved ones and to remain sensitive while
they grieve their loss. Again, our deepest, heartfelt condolences go out to everyone who was
touched by this tragedy."
Due to the nature of the crash and impact damage, Kauai police have confirmed that
there are no survivors. According to a preliminary report from a flight manifest, Kauai police
believe that four of the six passengers were a family from Switzerland — 50-year-old Sylvie
Winteregg, 49-year-old Christophe Winteregg, 13-year-old Alice Winteregg and 10-year-old
Agathe Winteregg.
From the same flight manifest, Kauai police have already identified the pilot to be 69-
year-old Paul Matero of Wailua and two of the other passengers to be 47-year-old Amy Gannon
and 13-year-old Jocelyn Gannon of Madison, Wisconsin.
"I want to commend the Kauai Fire Department's Battalion Chiefs, rescue personnel,
drone team and Air 1 pilots, as well as our KPD team, for their hard work and willingness tc
their lives during this recovery process," said Kauai Police Chief Todd G. Raybuck. "I cannot
put into words just how remote and steep the terrain is where this tragic incident occurred but
everyone has been working together nonstop, especially in hopes of attempting to provide some
semblance of closure for the families."
A team from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived on island earlier this week
and will be taking the lead on the investigation.