HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR122719HelicopterwreckagefoundinKokeeTHE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
mqa MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
C OF
News Release
For Immediate Release: December 27, 2019
KAUA`I POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-1600
Fax (808) 241-1604
Helicopter wreckage found in Koke`e
KOKE`E — The crash site of the helicopter missing since Thursday afternoon has been
confirmed in Koke`e near Nu`alolo. Seven individuals were on the flight, including one pilot and
six passengers.
Additional resources are on the way and the search for survivors is ongoing.
"First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these passengers,"
said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. "Operations continue and we are doing everything we can at
this time."
At approximately 6 p.m. Thursday, officials were notified of an overdue Safari Helicopter
that was conducting a tour over the Na Pali area. The helicopter was scheduled to arrive around
5:30 p.m. at the Lihu`e landing pad. According to a preliminary report, the last contact with the
helicopter was made at approximately 4:40 p.m., when the pilot relayed that the tour was
leaving the Waimea Canyon area.
Upon notification, a multi -agency search was launched Thursday night with the U.S.
Coast Guard responding via air and sea, and personnel from the Kauai Fire Department, Kauai
Police Department, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Air National Guard,
and Pacific Missile Range Facility joining the effort on land. However, there have been no sign
of the helicopter.
Search operations continued early Friday morning with air searches being conducted by
the Kauai Fire Department, Kauai Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy,
Civil Air Patrol, and private helicopter companies. The U.S. Coast Guard is also continuing its
sea -based search. A land and shoreline is also being coordinated at this time.
Updates on the search will be provided as information becomes available.