HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR122819KauaipoliceconfirmnohelicoptercrashsurvivorsTHE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
mqa MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
C OF
News Release
For Immediate Release: December 28, 2019
KAUA`I POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-1600
Fax (808) 241-1604
Kauai police confirm no helicopter crash survivors
KOKEE — The Kauai Police Department, Kauai Fire Department and the Department of
Land and Natural Resources continued recovery efforts Saturday of the helicopter crash that
occurred in 1<61ke`e. Due to the additional recovery efforts, the nature of the crash and impact
damage, Kauai police can confirm that there are no survivors.
According to preliminary reports from a flight manifest, Kauai police believe the pilot to
be 69-year-old Paul Matero of Wailua and two of the passengers to be 47-year-old Amy Gannon
and 13-year-old Jocelyn Gannon of Madison, Wisconsin. The four other passengers are
believed to be a family from Switzerland —a 50-year-old female, 49-year-old male, 13-year-old
female and a 10-year old female. Their names have not yet been released.
Autopsies to positively confirm all identities are still pending.
"We offer our continued condolences and prayers to the families and friends of the
victims," said KPD Assistant Chief Bryson Ponce. "As we continue to search for and recover
evidence pertinent to this tragic helicopter crash, we hope to bring some sense of closure to the
loved ones of the victims."
Recovery efforts were suspended Saturday afternoon. The scene has been turned over
for further investigation to the National Transportation Safety Board.
Photos courtesy County of Kauai.