A Canadian family remains in hospital after a dramatic helicopter crash in Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor on Thursday.
A Honolulu-area hospital confirmed the family’s nationality Friday afternoon. Two victims are in stable condition and another remains in critical condition, hospital officials said.
The fourth family member was released from hospital Thursday, according to a Navy spokesperson.
The harrowing crash was caught on video, showing the chopper suddenly tilt to its side before slamming into the sea.
"All of a sudden it essentially just fell out of the sky and crash-landed in the water," said U.S. tourist Shawn Winrich, who dove into the water to help.
A U.S. Navy spokesperson said that a 45-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man were still in hospital Friday in stable condition. But a 15-year-old boy, who was trapped underwater had to be cut from his seat, reportedly remains in critical condition.
No names have been released. Few details are known about the pilot’s condition.
Canadian officials are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information, and stand ready to provide consular assistance.
Bystanders visiting the nearby Pearl Harbor Visitor Center were quick to jump to the family’s rescue, with several diving into the ocean to help.
"I took off my shirt and dove in,” said tour guide Chris Gardner, who described how others helped cut a male passenger out of a helicopter seat. "He was strapped into his seat in the back of the aircraft."
Paramedics say they treated a 15-year-old male and rushed him to hospital, according to an emergency medical services spokesperson.
The crash marks the second major helicopter accident on the island of Oahu this year.
With files from The Associated Press
