January 3, 2020

Remains found from Kauai helicopter crash

A day-after-Christmas helicopter tour over the Hawaiian island of Kauai had a tragic end for two families. The remains of six of the seven people aboard were found Friday following the discovery of a crash site atop a mountain along the island's north coast.

The seventh person is presumed dead. "There are no indications of survivors," said the battalion chief of the Kauai Fire Department.

The identities of those aboard have not been made public, but officials said in addition to the pilot, there were members of two families, one with two people and one with four, reports NBC News; two of the passengers were children.

The helicopter was due to return at 5:30 pm Thursday, and the Coast Guard was alerted at 6 pm after the group still had not returned. The pilot had reported they were leaving the Waimea Canyon area at 4:40 pm; it was the last time they were heard from.

The chopper hit a ridge at an elevation of 2,900 feet and then fell about 100 feet.

The AP reports the group was flying over the island's remote Na Pali Coast, which was featured in the film Jurassic Park. Hawaii News Now reports the search was suspended due to fog and visibility issues at 3:30 pm Friday and will resume Saturday morning weather permitting.